Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
England: Vols. I–IV. 1876–79. | | | | Oxford | | Oxford, May 30, 1820 | | William Wordsworth (1770–1850) |
| | | YE sacred nurseries of blooming youth! | |
| In whose collegiate shelter England’s flowers | |
| Expand, enjoying through their vernal hours | |
| The air of liberty, the light of truth; | |
| Much have ye suffered from Time’s gnawing tooth, | 5 |
| Yet, O ye spires of Oxford! domes and towers! | |
| Gardens and groves! your presence overpowers | |
| The soberness of reason; till, in sooth, | |
| Transformed, and rushing on a bold exchange, | |
| I slight my own belovéd Cam, to range | 10 |
| Where silver Isis leads my stripling feet; | |
| Pace the long avenue, or glide adown | |
| The stream-like windings of that glorious street,— | |
| An eager novice robed in fluttering gown! | | | | |
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