Poem by Katharine Tynan

The Pastoral Pilgrim

For me the town sets forth in vain 
Her painted pleasures in a train. 
For I arise and go 
To a delicious world I know.

There the gold-fretted fields are set 
Like pearls within a carcanet 
With daisies fine and fresh, 
And kingcups tangled in a mesh.

The pastoral lands I seek where stray 
The strawberry cattle and the gray, 
Knee deep in dew and scent, 
Placid, and breathing forth content.

Brave copses line each hill, and there 
The pleasant habitations are 
With roses to the eaves, 
And nightingales amid the leaves.

When I shall wake there to the sun 
And the birds' early antiphon, 
And lusty bee his chant, 
How shall I grieve, how shall I want?

Sweet peas and dappled mignonette 
Below my crystal window set, 
Clear air and lucent skies, 
And the dove's whispers and replies.

A garden and an orchard white 
And pink—an orchard 's my delight,
Whose very name doth bring 
Airs of the summer, joy of spring.

And having these shall I repine 
For houses, houses in a line, 
With other men to dwell? 
Give me my staff and cockle-shell.

1. The Tree-lover
2. Lenton Communion
3. A Song of Going
4. Colours
5. Pilgrims to the East

Print

1305 Views

Last Poems

To Russian version