The poetical works of George MacDonald in two volumes — Volume 2

Whan Andrew frae Strathbogie gaed The lift was lowerin dreary, The sun he wadna raise his heid, The win' blew laich and eerie. In's pooch he had a plack or twa-- I vow he hadna...

O Father, lift me on thine arm, And hold me close to thee; Lift me into thy breathing warm, Then cast me, and I fear no harm, Into creation's sea!

Whan the gray cock crew, she heard on the flure The fa' o' shuneless feet; Whan the rud cock crew, she heard the dure, And a sough o' win' and weet.

Then the moon comes up the hill, Wide awake, but dreaming still, Soft and slow, as if in fear Lest her path should not be clear. Like a timid lady she Looks around her daintily,...

It is right to get up and do, But why outstrip the rest? Why should one of the many be one of the few? Why should _you_ think to be best?

They ran, nor cried, but fled From day's sweet pasture, from night's soft bed: Ah me, the look in their eyes! For behind them rushed the swallowing gulf, The maw of the growl-th...

A little bird sat on the edge of her nest; Her yellow-beaks slept as sound as tops; Day-long she had worked almost without rest, And had filled every one of their gibbous crops;...

III. Still as death, Although I listen with bated breath! Yet something is coming, I know--is coming! With an inward soundless humming Somewhere in me, or if in the air I cannot...

I know--but the joy that was quick to go Gave more knowledge to me than words can shew; And _you_ know the story, and how they fare Who love the green earth and the heavenly air.

Oh, a ruddy light went through the room, Till the dark ran out to his mother Night! And that little chamber showed through the gloom Like a Noah's ark with its nest of light! Ri...

The streams have forgotten the sea In the dream of their musical sound; The sunlight is thick on the tree, And the shadows lie warm on the ground,-- So still, you may watch them...

There may be seeming calm above, but no!-- There is a pulse below which ceases not, A subterranean working, fiery hot, Deep in the million-hearted bosom, though Earthquakes unlo...

Would you see the small immortal One short pace within Time's portal? I will fetch her.--Is she white? Solemn? true? a light in light? See! is not her lily-skin White as whitest...

If thou wouldst live the Truth in very deed, Thou hast thy joy, but thou hast more of pain. Others will live in peace, and thou be fain To bargain with despair, and in thy need...

Prince Breacan of Denmark was lord of the strand And lord of the billowy sea; Lord of the sea and lord of the land, He might have let maidens be!

I woke, with calmness cleansed and sanctified-- The peace that filled my heart of old, when I Woke in my mother's lap; for since I died The past lay bare, even to the dreaming s...

Up to my garret, its storm-windows and skylights! There I'll lay me on the floor, and patient let the sun, The moon and the stars, the blueness and the twilights Do what their p...

Let a youth bridle Twilight, my dapple-gray, With broad rein and snaffle bit; He must bring him round at break of day When the shadows begin to flit, When the darkness begins to...

PARABLES-- The Man of Songs The Hills The Journey The Tree's Prayer Were I a Skilful Painter Far and Near My Room Death and Birth Love's Ordeal The Lost Soul The Three Horses Th...

Doon cam the sunbeams, and up gaed the stour, As we spangt ower the road at ten mile the hoor, The horse wasna timmer, the cart wasna strae, And little cared we for the burn or...