How many bards gild the lapses of time!
A few of them have ever been the food
Of my delighted fancy,—I could brood
Over their beauties, earthly, or sublime:
And often, when I sit me down to rhyme,
These will in throngs before my mind intrude:
But no confusion, no disturbance rude
Do they occasion; 'tis a pleasing chime.
So the unnumbered sounds that evening store;
The songs of birds—the whispering of the leaves—
The voice of waters—the great bell that heaves
With solemn sound,—and thousand others more,
That distance of recognizance bereaves,
Makes pleasing music, and not wild uproar.
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Comments1Really liked ths poem. Felt like it flowed effortlessly and painted a picturesque image. Theres something amazing about how the poem describes the inspiration drawn from beauty in a non-chaotic way. The last lines, describing nature's music instead of wild uproar, are very soothing. Quite a gem!