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POEMS OF SUSSEX PLACES. 105 |
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Yet not of beauty destitute. The vine Mantles the little casement; yet the briar Drops fragrant dew among the July flowers ; And pansies rayed, and freaked and motted pinks, Grow among balm, and rosemary, and rue. There honeysuckles flaunt and roses blow Almost uncultured ; some with dark green leaves Contrast their flowers of pure unsullied white; Others, like velvet robes of regal state Of richest crimson ; while, in thorny moss, Enshrined and cradled, the most lovely wear The hues of youthful beauty's glowing cheek. With fond regret I recollect e'en now, In spring and summer, what delight I felt Among these gardens, and how much Such artless nosegays, knotted with a rush, By village housewife or her ruddy maid, Where welcome to me, soon and simply pleased. An early worshipper at Nature's shrine, I loved her rudest scenes,—warrens and heaths, And yellow commons, and birch-shaded hollows, And hedge-rows bordering unfrequented lanes, Bowered with wild roses and clasping woodbine.
It was on Beachy Head that the greatest of our
living poets, Mr. Algernon Charles Swinburne,
in September, 1886, wrote his address "To the
Seamew," destined to a place of honour among
the birds of the great singers.
We are fallen, even we, whose passion
On earth is nearest thine; Who sing, and cease from flying; Who live, and dream of dying ; |
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