Famous Picturesque Poems by Famous Poets

These are examples of famous Picturesque poems written by some of the greatest and most-well-known modern and classical poets. PoetrySoup is a great educational poetry resource of famous picturesque poems. These examples illustrate what a famous picturesque poem looks like and its form, scheme, or style (where appropriate).

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The Maori Pig Market

by Andrew Barton Paterson
 In distant New Zealand, whose tresses of gold 
The billows are ceaselessly combing, 
Away in a village all tranquil and old 
I came on a market where porkers were sold -- 
A market for pigs in the gloaming. 
And Maoris in plenty in picturesque rig 
The lands of their forefathers roaming, 
Were weighing their swine, whether little or big,...Read more of this...

The Village of Tayport and Its Surroundings

by William Topaz McGonagall
 All ye pleasure-seekers, where'er ye be,
I pray ye all be advised by me,
Go and visit Tayport on the banks o' the Tay,
And there ye can spend a pleasant holiday. 

The village and its surroundings are magnificent to be seen,
And the shops on the High Street are tidy and clean,
And the goods, I'm sure, would please the Queen,
They cannot be...Read more of this...

Beautiful Comrie

by William Topaz McGonagall
 Ye lovers of the picturesque, away, away!
To beautiful Comrie and have a holiday;
Aud bask in the sunahine and inhale the fragrant air
Emanating from the woodlands and shrubberies there. 

The charming village of Comrie is most lovely to be seen,
Especially in the summer season when the trees are green;
And near by is Loch Earn and its waters sparkling clear,
And as...Read more of this...

The Merchant of the Picturesque

by Emily Dickinson
 The Merchant of the Picturesque
A Counter has and sales
But is within or negative
Precisely as the calls --
To Children he is small in price
And large in courtesy --
It suits him better than a check
Their artless currency --
Of Counterfeits he is so shy
Do one advance so near
As to behold his ample flight --...Read more of this...

Beautiful Crief

by William Topaz McGonagall
 Ye lovers of the picturesque, if ye wish to drown your grief,
Take my advice, and visit the ancient town of Crieff;
The climate is bracing, and the walks lovely to see.
Besides, ye can ramble over the district, and view the beautiful scenery. 

The town is admirably situated from the cold winter winds,
And the visitors, during their stay there, great comfort...Read more of this...

The River of Leith

by William Topaz McGonagall
 As I stood upon the Dean Bridge and viewed the beautiful scenery,
I felt fascinated and my heart was full of glee,
And I exclaimed in an ecstasy of delight,
In all my travels I never saw such a sight. 

The scenery is so enchanting to look upon
That all tourists will say, "Dull care, be gone."
'Tis certainly a most lovely spot,
And once...Read more of this...

Oban

by William Topaz McGonagall
 Oh! beautiful Oban with your lovely bay,
Your surroundings are magnificent on a fine summer-day;
There the lover of the picturesque can behold,
As the sun goes down, the scenery glittering like gold. 

And on a calm evening, behind the village let him climb the hill,
And as he watches the sun go down, with delight his heart will fill
As he beholds the...Read more of this...

Siren Song

by Hugo Williams
 This is the one song everyone 
would like to learn: the song
that is irresistible:

the song that forces men
to leap overboard in squadrons
even though they see the beached skulls

the song nobody knows
because anyone who has heard it
is dead, and the others can't remember.

Shall I tell you the secret
and if I do, will you get me 
out of this bird suit?

I...Read more of this...

My friend attacks my friend!

by Emily Dickinson
 My friend attacks my friend!
Oh Battle picturesque!
Then I turn Soldier too,
And he turns Satirist!
How martial is this place!
Had I a mighty gun
I think I'd shoot the human race
And then to glory run!...Read more of this...

Beautiful Edinburgh

by William Topaz McGonagall
 Beautiful city of Edinburgh, most wonderful to be seen,
With your ancient palace of Holyrood and Queen's Park Green,
And your big, magnificent, elegant New College,
Where people from all nations can be taught knowledge. 

The New College of Edinburgh is certainly very grand
Which I consider to be an honour to fair Scotland,
Because it's the biggest in the world, without any doubt,
And...Read more of this...

185. The Humble Petition of Bruar Water

by Robert Burns
 MY lord, I know your noble ear
 Woe ne’er assails in vain;
Embolden’d thus, I beg you’ll hear
 Your humble slave complain,
How saucy Phoebus’ scorching beams,
 In flaming summer-pride,
Dry-withering, waste my foamy streams,
 And drink my crystal tide. 1


The lightly-jumping, glowrin’ trouts,
 That thro’ my waters play,
If, in their random, wanton spouts,
 They near the margin stray;
If, hapless chance! they...Read more of this...

Bonnie Callander

by William Topaz McGonagall
 Chorus --

Bonnie Helen, will you go to Callander with me
And gaze upon its beauties and romantic scenery
Dear Helen, it will help to drive all sorrow away;
Therefore come, sweet Helen, and let's have a holiday. 
Callander is a pretty little town most lovely to see,
Situated in the midst of mountains towering frowningly;
And Ben Ledi is the chief amongst them and...Read more of this...

Beautiful Torquay

by William Topaz McGonagall
 All ye lovers of the picturesque, away
To beautiful Torquay and spend a holiday
'Tis health for invalids for to go there
To view the beautiful scenery and inhale the fragrant air,
Especially in the winter and spring-time of the year,
When the weather is not too hot, but is balmy and clear. 

Torquay lies in a very deep and well-sheltered spot,
And at first...Read more of this...

Beautiful Balmoral

by William Topaz McGonagall
 Ye lovers of the picturesque, away and see
Beautiful Balmoral, near by the River Dee;
There ye will see the deer browsing on the heathery hills,
While adown their sides run clear sparkling rills. 

Which the traveller can drink of when he feels dry,
And admire the dark River Dee near by,
Rolling smoothly and silently on its way,
Which is most lovely to see...Read more of this...

Living In Sin

by Adrienne Rich
 She had thought the studio would keep itself;
no dust upon the furniture of love.
Half heresy, to wish the taps less vocal,
the panes relieved of grime. A plate of pears,
a piano with a Persian shawl, a cat
stalking the picturesque amusing mouse
had risen at his urging.
Not that at five each separate stair would writhe
under the milkman's tramp; that morning light
so coldly...Read more of this...

Beautiful Nairn

by William Topaz McGonagall
 All ye tourists who wish to be away
From the crowded city for a brief holiday;
The town of Nairn is worth a visit, I do confess,
And it's only about fifteen miles from Inverness. 

And in the summer season it's a very popular bathing-place,
And the visitors from London and Edinburgh finds solace,
As they walk along the yellow sand beach inhaling fresh...Read more of this...

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