Michael Field (Katherine Harris Bradley) (1846-1914). The Woods Are Still. Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. 1922. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse

Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse. 1922.

The Woods Are Still

By Michael Field (Katherine Harris Bradley) (1846–1914)


THE WOODS are still that were so gay at primrose-springing,
Through the dry woods the brown field-fares are winging,
And I alone of love, of love am singing.

I sing of love to the haggard palmer-worm,
Of love ’mid the crumpled oak-leaves that once were firm,	5
Laughing, I sing of love at the summer’s term.

Of love, on a path where the snake’s cast skin is lying,
Blue feathers on the floor, and no cuckoo flying;
I sing to the echo of my own voice crying.