Algernon Charles Swinburne

Name: A Midsummer Holiday and Other Poems — A Midsummer Holiday
Author: Algernon Charles Swinburne

A Midsummer Holiday and Other Poems… (1884)

Summary

“A Midsummer Holiday and Other Poems — A Midsummer Holiday”, published in 1884, is a work by Algernon Charles Swinburne. It explores elements such as goal, strand and sea.

Quotes from A Midsummer Holiday and Other Poems… (Algernon Charles Swinburne)

Algernon Charles Swinburne, A Midsummer Holiday and Other Poems… (1884)

“ Till now that the twain of us here, in desire of the dawn and in trust of the sea,
Strike out from the shore as the heart in us bids and beseeches, athirst for the foam.
Friend, earth is a harbour of refuge for winter, a covert whereunder to flee
When day is the vassal of night, and the strength of the hosts of her mightier than he;
But here is the presence adored of me, here my desire is at rest and at home.
There are cliffs to be climbed upon land, there are ways to be trodden and ridden: but we
Strike out from the shore as the heart in us bids and beseeches, athirst for the foam. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Algernon Charles Swinburne, A Midsummer Holiday and Other Poems… (1884)

“ What the dawn shall be, or if the dawn shall be not: yea, the scroll
Would we read of sleep's dark scripture, pledge of peace or doom of dole.
Ah, but here man's heart leaps, yearning toward the gloom with venturous glee,
Though his pilot eye behold nor bay nor harbour, rock nor shoal,
From the shore that hath no shore beyond it set in all the sea.
Friend, who knows if death indeed have life or life have death for goal? ”

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Source: Wikisource

Algernon Charles Swinburne, A Midsummer Holiday and Other Poems… (1884)

“ These whereby we stand no shore beyond us limits: these are free.
Gazing hence, we see the water that grows iron round the Pole,
From the shore that hath no shore beyond it set in all the sea.
Sail on sail along the sea-line fades and flashes; here on land
Flash and fade the wheeling wings on wings of mews that plunge and scream.
Hour on hour along the line of life and time's evasive strand
Shines and darkens, wanes and waxes, slays and dies: and scarce they seem
More than motes that thronged and trembled in the brief noon's breath and beam. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Algernon Charles Swinburne, A Midsummer Holiday and Other Poems… (1884)

“ Light that leaps and runs and revels through the springing flames of spray.
Dawn is wild upon the waters where we drink of dawn to-day:
Wide, from wave to wave rekindling in rebound through radiant air,
Flash the fires unwoven and woven again of wind that works in play,
Working wonders more than heart may note or sight may wellnigh dare,
Wefts of rarer light than colours rain from heaven, though this be rare. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Algernon Charles Swinburne, A Midsummer Holiday and Other Poems… (1884)

“ Fair befall the fair green close that lies below the mill!
Softlier here the flower-soft feet of refluent seasons glide,
Lightlier breathes the long low note of change's gentler call.
Wind and storm and landslip feed the lone sea's gulf outside,
Half a seamew's first flight hence; but scarce may these appal
Peace, whose perfect seal is set for signet here on all.
Steep and deep and sterile, under fields no plough can tame,
Dip the cliffs full-fledged with poppies red as love or shame,
Wide wan daisies bleak and bold, or herbage harsh and chill ”

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Source: Wikisource

Algernon Charles Swinburne, A Midsummer Holiday and Other Poems… (1884)

“ Life and love seek harbourage on the landward side:
Wind is lord and change is sovereign of the strand.
Friend, though man be less than these, for all his pride,
Yet, for all his weakness, shall not hope abide?
Wind and change can wreck but life and waste but land:
Truth and trust are sure, though here till all subside
Wind is lord and change is sovereign of the strand.
IN THE WATER.
The sea is awake, and the sound of the song of the joy of her waking is rolled
From afar to the star that recedes, from anear to the wastes of the wild wide shore. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Algernon Charles Swinburne, A Midsummer Holiday and Other Poems… (1884)

“ For earth and man's new spirit, fain to shun
Things past for dreams of better to be won,
Through many a century since thy funeral chime
Rang, and men deemed it death's most direful crime
To have spared not thee for very love or shame ”

Algernon Charles Swinburne

Summary

Quotes from A Midsummer Holiday and Other Poems… (Algernon Charles Swinburne)

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