Music

William Ernest Henley

Down the quiet eve,
Thro’ my window with the sunset
Pipes to me a distant organ
Foolish ditties;

And, as when you change
Pictures in a magic lantern,
Books, beds, bottles, floor, and ceiling
Fade and vanish,

And I’m well once more . . .
August flares adust and torrid,
But my heart is full of April
Sap and sweetness.

In the quiet eve
I am loitering, longing, dreaming . . .
Dreaming, and a distant organ
Pipes me ditties.

I can see the shop,
I can smell the sprinkled pavement,
Where she serves—her chestnut chignon
Thrills my senses!

O, the sight and scent,
Wistful eve and perfumed pavement!
In the distance pipes an organ . . .
The sensation

Comes to me anew,
And my spirit for a moment
Thro’ the music breathes the blessed
Airs of London.

Next 10 Poems

• William Ernest Henley : Nocturn
• William Ernest Henley : O, Have You Blessed, Behind The Stars
• William Ernest Henley : On The Way To Kew
• William Ernest Henley : One With The Ruined Sunset
• William Ernest Henley : Operation
• William Ernest Henley : Orientale
• William Ernest Henley : Pastoral
• William Ernest Henley : Praise The Generous Gods For Giving
• William Ernest Henley : Rhymes And Rhythms: Epilogue
• William Ernest Henley : Rhymes And Rhythms: Prologue

Previous 10 Poems

• William Ernest Henley : Midsummer Midnight Skies
• William Ernest Henley : Matri Dilectissimae-i.m.
• William Ernest Henley : Margaritae Sorori
• William Ernest Henley : Madam Life's A Piece In Bloom
• William Ernest Henley : Largo E Mesto
• William Ernest Henley : Lady-probationer
• William Ernest Henley : Kate-a-whimsies, John-a-dreams
• William Ernest Henley : It Came With The Threat Of A Waning Moon
• William Ernest Henley : Invictus [i. M. To R. T. Hamilton Bruce ( 1846-1899 )]
• William Ernest Henley : Interlude