Robert Bridges, ed. (1844–1930). The Spirit of Man: An Anthology. 1916. | | | | From Prince Athanase, Frag. 3 |
Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822) |
| | | ’TWAS 1 at the season when the Earth upsprings | |
| From slumber; as a spherèd angel’s child, | |
| Shadowing its eyes with green and golden wings, | |
| Stands up before its mother bright and mild, | |
| Of whose soft voice the air expectant seems— | 5 |
| So stood before the sun, which shone and smiled | |
| To see it rise thus joyous from its dreams, | |
| The fresh and radiant Earth. The hoary grove | |
| Waxed green, and flowers burst forth like starry beams; | |
| The grass in the warm sun did start and move, | 10 |
| And sea-buds burst under the waves serene. | |
| How many a one, though none be near to love, | |
| Loves then the shade of his own soul, half seen | |
| In any mirror—or the spring’s young minions, | |
| The wingèd leaves amid the copses green: | 15 |
| How many a spirit then puts on the pinions | |
| Of fancy, and outstrips the lagging blast, | |
| And his own steps, and over wide dominions | |
| Sweeps in his dream-drawn chariot, far and fast, | |
| More fleet than storms. The wide world shrinks below, | 20 |
| When winter and despondency are past … | |
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