The Joy of Childhood

George Darley 1795 (Dublin) – 1846 (London)



Down the dimpled green-sward dancing
Bursts a flaxen-headed bevy,
Bud-lipt boys and girls advancing
Love's irregular little levy.

Rows of liquid eyes in laughter,
How they glimmer, how they quiver!
Sparkling one another after,
Like bright ripples on a river.

Tipsy band of rubious faces,
Flushed with joy's etheral spirit,
Make your mocks and sly grimaces
At Love's self, and do not fear it!

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

20 sec read
64

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABAB CCCC XXXX
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 399
Words 66
Stanzas 3
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 4

George Darley

George Darley was an Irish poet, novelist, and critic. more…

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