WHEN south winds smelt of earth and brooks ran clear,
I made a little pipe of oaten straw,
From which of old the shepherd lads could draw —
Each on the greensward laid, his love a-near —
Such strains as voiced the blithe, young-hearted year,
Till down the greenwood aisles the piper saw
Small, shy wood-creatures, hushed of wing and paw,
All rapt and still to give his piping ear.
Perchance he heard Pan pipe the reeds among,
Or his blown breath along the fluted pines,
Or lilting choruses by gleaners sung
Wine-red and merry in the Tuscan vines,
Or Satyr’s lyre that charmed a shy wood-maid,
And mixed their music with the airs he played.
Perchance no loftier themes the shepherd knew
Than pewits calling the young world awake,
Or tranquil music such as hyl
(Mary Austin)
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Based on Topics: Youth PoemsBased on Keywords: gleaners, a-near, choruses, wine-red, young-hearted, pewits, wood-maid, wood-creatures