HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON 1840-1921

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A GARDEN SONG

Here in this sequester'd close 

Bloom the hyacinth and rose, 

Here beside the modest stock 

Flaunts the flaring hollyhock; 

Here, without a pang, one sees 

Ranks, conditions, and degrees. 

All the seasons run their race 

In this quiet resting-place; 

Peach and apricot and fig 

Here will ripen and grow big; 

Here is store and overplus, -

More had not Alcinoüs! 

Here, in alleys cool and green, 

Far ahead the thrush is seen; 

Here along the southern wall 

Keeps the bee his festival; 

All is quiet else - afar 

Sounds of toil and turmoil are. 

Here be shadows large and long; 

Here be spaces meet for song; 

Grant, O garden-god, that I, 

Now that none profane is nigh, -

Now that mood and moment please, -

Find the fair Pierides! 

This English poet, biographer and essayist wrote articles for the Dictionary of National Biography 1901 and the Encyclopaedia Britannica 1911.

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