Classic Poem

A LONE I walked the wild wood-side,
Where Autumn breath'd her airy breeze;
The silver moon-shine, far and wide,
Beam'd glimm'ring thro' the branching trees.
The burdies now, on leafless bough,
Their carrols gay had laid aside;
Grave silence reigns through woods and plains
With me along the wild wood-side.

Far-roaring Dee burst o'er his rocks,
While distance tun'd his swelling moans,
O'erhung with oak, and ivy'd locks,
Where owls screech'd out their wailing tones.
The fragrant bean was withering seen,
And flow'ry hawthorn's bloom decay'd;
No heavenly dew shall them renew,
Till Spring revive the wild wood-side.

Now sleep her patent spell hath drawn,
And charm'd creation into rest,
Save only thoughtless, hapless man,
Where guilt or love disturbs the breast.
Sweet Peace! descend, be thou my friend,
And white-rob'd Innocence my guide;
And teach me clear my course to steer,
Poor wand'rer, by the wild wood-side.

Ye twinkling stars, that shine afar,
To me unknown's your distant race —
Ye comets on your fiery car,
That wander through the boundless space —
Can Science scan your voice to man,
As through the concave blue ye glide,
And teach such views to vagrant muse,
That wanders by the wild wood-side?

Where now the distant landscape sweet?
Where now the busy haunts of men?
The chill dews o'er the grey grass creep,
The reapers now have left the plain.
With every blast the leaves fall fast,
As down the stream they mournful ride,
Chang'd Nature here looks pale and drear,
With me along the wild wood-side.

Again the lamp of day shall burn;
With harmony the woods shall ring;
The annual wheel of time shall turn,
With all the rosy hues of Spring:
But Man, when laid in lonely bed,
His griefs and joys are laid aside;
He ne'er again shall view the plain,
Or beauties of the wild wood-side.