Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/1083

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

HENRY CHARLES BEECHING

Spirit of Love and Truth,

Breathing in grosser clay, The light and flame of youth,

Delight of men in the fray, Wisdom in strength's decay;

From pain, strife, wrong to be free, This best gift I pray,

Take my spirit to Thee.

��876 Going down Hill on a Bicycle

A BOY'S SONG

WITH lifted feet, hands still, I am poised, and down the hill Dart, with heedful mind, The air goes by in a wind.

Swifter and yet more swift, Till the heart with a mighty lift Makes the lungs laugh, the throat cry: 4 O bird, bee, see, bird, I fly.

'Is thit>, is this your joy^ O bird, then I, though a boy, For a golden moment share Your feathery life in air

Say, heart, is there aught like this In a world that is full of bliss? 'Tis more than skating, bound Steel-shod to the level ground.

�� �