Page:The poetical works of Matthew Arnold, 1897.djvu/469

Rh Forgotten in a forest-glade,

And secret from the eyes of all.

Deep, deep the greenwood round them waves,

Their abbey, and its close of graves!

But, where the road runs near the stream,

Oft through the trees they catch a glance

Of passing troops in the sun's beam,—

Pennon, and plume, and flashing lance;

Forth to the world those soldiers fare,

To life, to cities, and to war.

And through the woods, another way,

Faint bugle-notes from far are borne,

Where hunters gather, staghounds bay,

Round some old forest-lodge at morn.

Gay dames are there, in sylvan green;

Laughter and cries—those notes between!

The banners flashing through the trees

Make their blood dance, and chain their eyes;

That bugle-music on the breeze

Arrests them with a charmed surprise.

Banner by turns and bugle woo:

Ye shy recluses, follow too!

O children, what do ye reply?

"Action and pleasure, will ye roam

Through these secluded dells to cry

And call us? but too late ye come!

Too late for us your call ye blow,

Whose bent was taken long ago.

"Long since we pace this shadowed nave;

We watch those yellow tapers shine,

Emblems of hope over the grave,

In the high altar's depth divine.