The Poet of Nature

From “Festus” HE had no times of study, and no place; All places and all times to him were one. His soul was like the wind-harp, which he loved, And sounded only when the spirit blew, Sometime in feasts and follies, for he went Lifelike through all things; and his thoughts then rose Like sparkles in the bright wine, brighter still; Sometimes in dreams, and then the shining words Would wake him in the dark before his face. All things talked thoughts to him. The sea went mad To show his meaning; and the awful sun Thundered his thoughts into him; and at night The stars would whisper theirs, the moon sigh hers.

Collection: 
1836
Sub Title: 
Poems of Sentiment: IV. Thought: Poetry: Books

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From “Festus” HE had no times of study, and no place; All places and all times to him were one. His soul was like the wind-harp, which he loved, And sounded only when the spirit blew, Sometime in feasts and follies, for he went Lifelike through all things; and his thoughts then rose Like...

From “Festus,” Scene: “A Country Town” FESTUS.— Oh! there is A life to come, or all ’s a dream. LUCIFER.— And all May be a dream. Thou seest in thine, men, deeds, Clear, moving, full of speech and order; then Why may not all this world be but a dream Of God’...

From “Festus” FOR to die young is youth’s divinest gift; To pass from one world fresh into another, Ere change hath lost the charm of soft regret, And feel the immortal impulse from within Which makes the coming life cry always, On! And follow it while strong, is heaven’s last mercy. There is a...

From “Festus” SAY gray-beards what they please, The heart of age is like an emptied wine-cup; Its life lies in a heel-tap: how can age judge? ’T were a waste of time to ask how they wasted theirs; But while the blood is bright, breath sweet, skin smooth, And limbs all made to minister...

I loved her for that she was beautiful;
And that to me she seem'd to be all Nature,
And all varieties of things in one:
Would set at night in clouds of tears, and rise
All light and laughter in the morning; fear
No petty customs nor appearances;
But think what...