Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
England: Vols. I–IV. 1876–79. | | | | Ampton | | Written at Ampton, Suffolk, January, 1838 | | Henry Alford (1810–1871) |
| | | ONCE more I stray among this wilderness | |
| Of ancient trees, and through the rustling fern, | |
| Golden and sere, brush forward; at each turn | |
| Meeting fresh avenues in winter dress | |
| Of long gray moss, or yellow lichen bright; | 5 |
| While the long lines of intercepted shade, | |
| Spread into distance through the turfy glade, | |
| Checkered with rosy paths of evening light. | |
| Here first I learned to tune my youthful thoughts | |
| To themes of blessed import: woods and sky, | 10 |
| And waters, as they rushed or slumbered by, | |
| For my poetic soul refreshment brought; | |
| And now within me rise, unbidden long, | |
| Fresh springs of life, fresh themes of earnest song. | | | | |
|
|
