Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

just before the beginning of this century, that is now nearly done, and other voices have kept continuously in the air a music worthy of the ploughman leader. These voices have been both great and small, but they have been enough to show that the nineteenth century has been one of the great centuries of English poetry. If we set aside Shakespeare, the greatest poet of all, it would be hard to show that any century has been greater than this last.

You may feel sure, therefore, that your century, the twentieth, will not fail of its singing voices. The world's age does not wear out either the gift or the need of it.

Some of you may be among the singers. But those who are hearers only, if they hear well and faithfully, will be doing part of the work. For poets cannot sing to stupid or heedless ears.

And this spirit of poetry, whose charm you all feel, here and there at least, in such selections as these, has other ways of showing itself than by the written word. It shines often in the lives of men and women and children, making some people's talk a delight to hear, making some approaching footsteps even sound sweetly on the walk. I can have no better wish for you than that you may be bearers of this incandescent light. It will help you to read poetry, and it will be most convenient and delightful for all your acquaintances.

E. S. T.

PART FIRST

THE LISTENING CHILD

MORNING

From CYMBELINE

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

JARK, HARK! the lark at heaven's gate sings, And Phoebus 'gins arise,

His steeds to water at those springs

On chaliced flowers that lies: And winking Mary-buds begin To ope their golden eyes; With everything that pretty bin, My lady sweet, arise;

Arise, arise.

« AnteriorContinuar »