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

 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.

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