Poems by Adam Lindsay Gordon

All Poems Original Poems Translations

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From Lightning And Tempest

The spring-wind pass'd through the forest, and whispered low in the leaves,

And the cedar toss'd her head, and the oak stood firm in his pride;

The spring-wind pass'd through the town,

through the housetops, casements, and eaves,

And whisper'd low in the hearts of the men, and the men replied,

Singing — "Let us rejoice in the light

Of our glory, and beauty, and might;

Let us follow our own devices, and foster our own desires.

by Adam Lindsay Gordon

Early Adieux

Adieu to kindred hearts and home,

To pleasure, joy, and mirth,

A fitter foot than mine to roam

Could scarcely tread the earth;

For they are now so few indeed

(Not more than three in all),

Who e'er will think of me or heed

What fate may me befall.

by Adam Lindsay Gordon

Podas Okus

Am I waking? Was I sleeping?

Dearest, are you watching yet?

Traces on your cheeks of weeping

Glitter, 'tis in vain you fret;

Drifting ever! drifting onward!

In the glass the bright sand runs

Steadily and slowly downward;

Hushed are all the Myrmidons.

by Adam Lindsay Gordon

Hippodromania; Or, Whiffs From The Pipe

Part I

Visions in the Smoke

Rest, and be thankful! On the verge

Of the tall cliff rugged and grey,

But whose granite base the breakers surge,

And shiver their frothy spray,

Outstretched, I gaze on the eddying wreath

That gathers and flits away,

by Adam Lindsay Gordon

A Legend Of Madrid

Francesca.

Crush'd and throng'd are all the places

In our amphitheatre,

'Midst a sea of swarming faces

I can yet distinguish her;

Dost thou triumph, dark-brow'd Nina?

Is my secret known to thee?

On the sands of yon arena

by Adam Lindsay Gordon

The Last Leap

ALL is over! fleet career,

Dash of greyhound slipping thongs,

Flight of falcon, bound of deer,

Mad hoof-thunder in our rear,

Cold air rushing up our lungs,

Din of many tongues.

Once again, one struggle good,

by Adam Lindsay Gordon

A Basket of Flowers

Dawn

On skies still and starlit

White lustres take hold,

And grey flushes scarlet,

And red flashes gold.

And sun-glories cover

The rose shed above her,

Like lover and lover

by Adam Lindsay Gordon

From The Wreck

"Turn out, boys!" — "What's up with our super. to-night?

The man's mad — Two hours to daybreak I'd swear —

Stark mad — why, there isn't a glimmer of light."

"Take Bolingbroke, Alec, give Jack the young mare;

Look sharp. A large vessel lies jamm'd on the reef,

And many on board still, and some wash'd on shore.

Ride straight with the news — they may send some relief

From the township; and we — we can do little more.

by Adam Lindsay Gordon

Fragmentary Scenes From The Road To Avernus

Scene I

"Discontent"

LAURENCE RABY.

Laurence:

I said to young Allan M'Ilveray,

Beside the swift swirls of the North,

When, in lilac shot through with a silver ray,

We haul'd the strong salmon fish forth —

by Adam Lindsay Gordon

De Te

A burning glass of burnished brass,

The calm sea caught the noontide rays,

And sunny slopes of golden grass

And wastes of weed-flower seem to blaze.

Beyond the shining silver-greys,

Beyond the shades of denser bloom,

The sky-line girt with glowing haze

The farthest, faintest forest gloom,

Adam Lindsay Gordon

Doubtful Dreams

Aye, snows are rife in December,

And sheaves are in August yet,

And you would have me remember,

And I would rather forget;

In the bloom of the May-day weather,

In the blight of October chill,

We were dreamers of old together, —

As of old, are you dreaming still?

by Adam Lindsay Gordon

Wormwood And Nightshade

The troubles of life are many,

The pleasures of life are few;

When we sat in the sunlight, Annie,

I dreamt that the skies were blue —

When we sat in the sunlight, Annie,

I dreamt that the earth was green;

There is little colour, if any,

'Neath the sunlight now to be seen.

by Adam Lindsay Gordon