Thomas Bailey Aldrich

Here you will find the Poem Hesperides of poet Thomas Bailey Aldrich

Hesperides

If thy soul, Herrick, dwelt with me, 
This is what my songs would be: 
Hints of our sea-breezes, blent 
With odors from the Orient; 
Indian vessels deep with spice; 
Star-showers from the Norland ice; 
Wine-red jewels that seem to hold 
Fire, but only burn with cold; 
Antique goblets, strangely wrought, 
Filled with the wine of happy thought, 
Bridal measure, vain regrets, 
Laburnum buds and violets; 
Hopeful as the break of day; 
Clear as crystal; new as May; 
Musical as brooks that run 
O'er yellow shallows in the sun; 
Soft as the satin fringe that shades 
The eyelids of thy Devon maids; 
Brief as thy lyrics, Herrick, are, 
And polished as the bosom of a star.