Classic Poem

He wandered through the wilding world, sun-splashed
With spattered gold and broidered with bright bloom,
Striving to give expression to a song
Of nature's own wild harmony; he smiled
An elfish smile, half mischief, half love-dreamed;
He plucked the dream-tuned lute strings from the heart
Of Poetry, he willed the wild dumb voice
Of dew-splashed fragrant forest to his work;
Stole from the merriment of frisking lambs,
The verdant grace of breeze-bent reeds; and last
Fashioned the whole with curve of maidens' limbs,
Elf-smiled on the fulfilment of his dream,
With far-off mind breathed into it his soul—
Keen as a dagger's thrust, yet numbing sweet
The sound wild fluted—from the heart of Spring.