Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 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.

The mountain ridge against the purple sky

Stands clear and strong, with darkened rocks and dells,

And cloudless brightness opens wide and high

A home aerial, where thy presence dwells.

The chime of bells remote, the murmuring sea,

The song of birds in whispering copse and wood,

The distant voice of children’s thoughtless glee,

And maiden’s songs, are all one voice of good.

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,

Unhaunted by a dream of storm or strife.