Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume V. Nature. 1904. | | | | I. Nature’s Influence | | On a Beautiful Day | | John Sterling (1806–1844) |
| | | O UNSEEN Spirit! now a calm divine | |
| Comes forth from thee, rejoicing earth and air! | |
| Trees, hills, and houses, all distinctly shine, | |
| And thy great ocean slumbers everywhere. | |
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| The mountain ridge against the purple sky | 5 |
| Stands clear and strong, with darkened rocks and dells, | |
| And cloudless brightness opens wide and high | |
| A home aerial, where thy presence dwells. | |
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| The chime of bells remote, the murmuring sea, | |
| The song of birds in whispering copse and wood, | 10 |
| The distant voice of children’s thoughtless glee, | |
| And maiden’s songs, are all one voice of good. | |
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| Amid the leaves’ green mass a sunny play | |
| Of flash and shadow stirs like inward life: | |
| The ship’s white sail glides onward far away, | 15 |
| Unhaunted by a dream of storm or strife. | | | | |
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