Robert Bridges, ed. (1844–1930). The Spirit of Man: An Anthology. 1916. | | | | From Ode to Joy |
Richard Watson Dixon (1833–1900) |
| | | .. BEHOLD 1 the white clouds roll along the blue, | |
| And like the clouds do flocks o’erspread the plain; | |
| And like them winds the forest out of view; | |
| Shall not Joy’s chariot come with splendid train, | |
| And he descend and walk the living air, | 5 |
| With Melody and Peace, and Happy Love, | |
| Wing-footed, rosy-limbed, with myrtle rare | |
| And olive crowned from old Eleusis’ grove? | |
| Ah, no, the fury Night will soon be here; | |
| She comes with storms that drive the flocks away, | 10 |
| And takes the large free clouds to make her bier, | |
| And rends the leaves; no longer youth can stay | |
| Nor joy appear. | |
| | | Note 1. R. W. Dixon. Last stanza of Ode to Joy: in ‘Christ’s Company’. Smith Elder. 1861. [back] | | |
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