Henry W. Longfellow

wadsworth1.jpg Harvard Professor
America's Best Loved Poet

(1807-1882)

PLEASANT IT WAS, whenwoods were green,
And winds were soft and low,
To lie amid some sylvan* scene.
Where, the long drooping boughs between,
Shadows dark and sunlight sheen
Alternate come and go;

Beneath some patriarchal tree
I lay upon the ground;
His hoary* arms uplifted he,
And all the broad leaves over me
Clapped their little hands in glee,
With one continuous sound;--

A slumberous sound, a sound that brings
The feelings of a dream,
As of innumerable wings,
As, when a bell no longer swings,
Faint the hollow murmur rings
O'er meadow, lake, and stream.

And dreams of that which cannot die,
Bright visions, came to me,
As lapped in thought I used to lie,
And gaze into the summer sky,
Where the sailing clouds went by,
Like ships upon the sea;

Dreams that the soul of youth engage
Ere Fancy has been quelled;
Old legends of the monkish page,
Traditions of the saint and sage,
Tales that have the rime of age,
And chronicles of Eld.

And, loving still these quaint old themes,
Even in the city's throng
I feel the freshness of the streams,
That, crossed by shades and sunny gleams,
Water the green land of dreams,
The holy land of song.

Therefore, at Pentecost, which brings
The Spring, clothed like a bride,
When nestling buds unfold their wings,
And bishop's-caps have golden rings,
Musing upon many things,
I sought the woodlands wide.

The green trees whispered low and mild;
It was a sound of joy!
They were my playmates when a child,
And rocked me in their arms so wild!
Still they looked at me and smiled,
As if I were a boy;

And ever whispered, mild and low,
“Come be a child once more !’
And waved their long arms to and fro,
And beckoned solemnly and slow;
Oh, I could not choose but go
Into the woodlands hoar,-

Into the blithe and breathing air,
Into the solemn wood,
Solemn and silent everywhere!
Nature with folded hands seemed there
Kneeling at their evening prayer!
Like one in prayer I stood.

Before me rose an avenue
Of tall and sombrous pines;
Abroad their fan-like branches grew,
And, where the

sunshine darted through,
Spread a vapor soft and blue,
In long and sloping lines.

And, falling on my weary brain,
Like a fast-falling shower,
The dreams of youth came back again,-
Low lispings of the summer rain,
Dropping on the ripened grain,
As once upon the flower.

Visions of childhood! Stay, oh stay!
Ye were so sweet and wild!
And distant voices seemed to say,
“It cannot be! they pass away!
Other themes demand thy lay;
Thou art no more a child!

“The land of Song within thee lies,
Watered by living springs;
The lids of Fancy’s eyes
Are gates unto that Paradise;
Holy thought, like stars, arise;
Its clouds are angels’ wings.

“Look, then, into thine heart, and write!
Yes, into Life’s deep stream!
All forms of sorrow and delight,
All solemn Voices of the Night,
That can soothe thee, or affright,-
Be these henceforth thy theme.”

* sylvan - that which inhabits the woods
* hoary - extremely old

Other Poems

A Psalm of Life

And Can it Be

Above the Hills of Time

And Can it Be

Be Thou My Vision

Cast out Again

Christ Arose!

Christ Beside Me

Christ the Lord is Risen Today!

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

For the Beauty of the Earth

Found in Translation

Freedom

from The Prelude

God of Grace and God of Glory

Hark the Hearld Angel Sings

He Leadeth Me

Holy Spirit, Truth Divine

Hymn of the Evening

I Surrender All

Joy to the World

Like a River Glorious

Mozambique

My Faith Looks Up to Thee

National Hymn - God of Our Fathers

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go

O, The Deep, Deep, Love of Jesus

Parable of Immortality

Serenity

Sweet Hour of Prayer

The Battle Hymn of the Reformation

The Building of the Ship

The Church's One Foundation

The Landing of the Pilgrims

This Present Crisis

Three Days

We've A Story to Tell to The Nations

dr.shibley.jpgThe Weiner's congress "Born Again '97" held in the nation of India was one of the greatest ministry opportunities of my life! Bob, I truly believe your congress will go down as a landmark event toward the evangelization of India. The entire Body of Christ is indebted to you and Rose for your faith and vision that made this conference a reality."

--Dr. David Shibley - Founder, Global Advance



 
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