| Higginson and Bigelow, comps. American Sonnets. 1891. | | | | Solace of the Woods | | By William Gilmore Simms (1806–1870) |
| | | WOODS, waters, have a charm to soothe the ear, | |
| When common sounds have vexed it: when the day | |
| Grows sultry, and the crowd is in thy way, | |
| And working in thy soul much coil and care, | |
| Betake thee to the forest: in the shade | 5 |
| Of pines, and by the side of purling streams | |
| That prattle all their secrets in their dreams, | |
| Unconscious of a listener—unafraid— | |
| Thy soul shall feel their freshening, and the truth | |
| Of nature then, reviving in thy heart, | 10 |
| Shall bring thee the best feelings of thy youth, | |
| When in all natural joys thy joy had part, | |
| Ere lucre and the narrowing toils of trade | |
| Had turned thee to the thing thou wast not made. | | | | |
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