Explore "The Veery (Later Poems)" by Henry Van Dyke on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
The moonbeams over Arno's vale in silver flood were pouring, / When first I heard the nightingale a long-lost love deploring.
So passionate, so full of pain, it sounded strange and eerie; / I longed to hear a simpler strain, -- the wood-notes of the veery.
The laverock sings a bonny lay above the Scottish heather; / It sprinkles down from far away like light and love together; / He drops the golden notes to greet his brooding mate, his dearie; / I only know one song more sweet, -- the vespers of the veery.
In English gardens, green and bright and full of fruity treasure, / I heard the blackbird with delight repeat his merry measure: / The ballad was a pleasant one, the tune was loud and cheery, / And yet, with every setting sun, I listened for the veery.
But far away, and far away, the tawny thrush is singing; / New England woods, at close of day, with that clear chant are ringing: / And when my light of life is low, and heart and flesh are weary, / I fain would hear, before I go, the wood-notes of the veery.
1895.