Invocation

RARELY rarely comest thou  
Spirit of Delight! 
Wherefore hast thou left me now 
Many a day and night? 
Many a weary night and day 5 
'Tis since thou art fled away.
 

How shall ever one like me 
Win thee back again? 
With the joyous and the free 
Thou wilt scoff at pain.
 10 
Spirit false! thou hast forgot 
All but those who need thee not.
 

As a lizard with the shade 
Of a trembling leaf  
Thou with sorrow art dismay'd; 15 
Even the sighs of grief 
Reproach thee that thou art not near  
And reproach thou wilt not hear.
 

Let me set my mournful ditty 
To a merry measure; 20 
Thou wilt never come for pity  
Thou wilt come for pleasure: 
Pity then will cut away 
Those cruel wings and thou wilt stay.
 

I love all that thou lovest 25 
Spirit of Delight! 
The fresh earth in new leaves drest 
And the starry night; 
Autumn evening and the morn 
When the golden mists are born.
 30 

I love snow and all the forms 
Of the radiant frost; 
I love waves and winds and storms  
Everything almost 
Which is Nature's and may be 35 
Untainted by man's misery.
 

I love tranquil solitude  
And such society 
As is quiet wise and good; 
Between thee and me 40 
What diff'rence? but thou dost possess 
The things I seek not love them less.
 

I love Love¡ªthough he has wings  
And like light can flee  
But above all other things 45 
Spirit I love thee¡ª 
Thou art love and life! O come! 
Make once more my heart thy home! 

Biography | Poems | Best Poems | Short Poems | Quotes | Email Poem |

Poems are below...