| Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse. 1922. | | | | Song: ‘He came unlook’d for, undesir’d’ | | By Sara Coleridge (1802–1852) |
| | | HE came unlook’d for, undesir’d, | |
| A sun-rise in the northern sky: | |
| More than the brightest dawn admir’d, | |
| To shine and then for ever fly. | |
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| His love, conferr’d without a claim, | 5 |
| Perchance was like the fitful blaze, | |
| Which lives to light a steadier flame, | |
| And, while that strengthens, fast decays. | |
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| Glad fawn along the forest springing, | |
| Gay birds that breeze-like stir the leaves, | 10 |
| Why hither haste, no message bringing | |
| To solace one that deeply grieves? | |
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| Thou star that dost the skies adorn | |
| So brightly heralding the day, | |
| Bring one more welcome than the morn, | 15 |
| Or still in night’s dark prison stay. | | | | |
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