ON AVON'S BREAST I SAW A STATELY SWAN

One day when England's June was at its best,

I saw a stately and imperious swan

Floating on Avon's fair untroubled breast.

Sudden, it seemed as if all strife had gone

Out of the world; all discord, all unrest.

The sorrows and the sinnings of the race

Faded away like nightmares in the dawn.

All heaven was one blue background for the grace

Of Avon's beautiful, slow-moving swan;

And earth held nothing mean or commonplace.

Life seemed no longer to be hurrying on

With unbecoming haste; but softly trod,

As one who reads in emerald leaf, or lawn,

Or crimson rose a message straight from God.

On Avon's breast I saw a stately swan.