Canto 21To the Cuckoo
Book 1. Part One - England and Baroda 1883 – 1898
Sounds of the wakening world, the year’s increase,
Passage of wind and all his dewy powers
With breath and laughter of new-bath`ed flowers
And that deep light of heaven above the trees
5Awake mid leaves that muse in golden peace
Sweet noise of birds, but most in heavenly showers
The cuckoo’s voice pervades the lucid hours,
Is priest and summoner of these melodies.
The spent and weary streams refresh their youth
10At that creative rain and barren groves
Regain their face of flowers; in thee the ruth
Of Nature wakening her dead children moves.
But chiefly to renew thou hast the art
Fresh childhood in the obscur`ed human heart.