<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="" class="head">Oxford's Dawn</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">THERE was a day when valleys laugh'd aloud,</p><p class="line">And Joy danc'd on the waters, and the world</p><p class="line">With all its treasure, beast and tree and cloud,</p><p class="line">Quiver'd with wisdom,--so the Fancy tells.</p><p class="line">Not rarely then upon the earth were hurl'd</p><p class="line">Sparks from the fountain-furnace of the sky;</p><p class="line">But, as the sea yet roars in hollow shells</p><p class="line">Forlorn, so clear from God an endless stream</p><p class="line">Flow'd wild among his children from on high:</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Who, ever gleefully,</p><p class="line">Drank in full flush of innocence that Heav'nly beam.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Happy, oh, happy fled the rushing years,</p><p class="line">Until alas! the wilful and the blind</p><p class="line">Lost the rare glory in a mist of tears,</p><p class="line">And the great Father hid his face and mourn'd:</p><p class="line">But through the poisonous wrack the light behind</p><p class="line">Came palely struggling, and to men return'd.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">For some great souls with swords of true desire</p><p class="line">Pierc'd the gross shroud, and gaining fitful gleams</p><p class="line">Fashion'd anew the wisdom of the past;</p><p class="line">And scatter'd to their fellows in the mire</p><p class="line">The shining fabric of their gather'd dreams.</p><p class="line">They grop'd to find the links that couple fast</p><p class="line">All things within the Universe. They lit</p><p class="line">The lamp of passionate Faith, and tended it</p><p class="line">'Mid scorn and strife. They dipp'd the poet's pen</p><p class="line">Into the rainbow, and in simile</p><p class="line">Join'd fair to fair. They search'd the mystery</p><p class="line">Of that old Eden long denied to men.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">And thou, my Oxford, gracious citadel</p><p class="line">Of these who follow'd Truth,--thou didst arise,</p><p class="line">The hopeful darling of our western skies,</p><p class="line">Sung into being by an antique spell:</p><p class="line">Or whether, as the dim old fables tell,</p><p class="line">Brut and his pilgrims from unhappy Troy</p><p class="line">Built thee: or, servant of high destiny,</p><p class="line">Fierce Mempric, red with slaughter of his foes</p><p class="line">Cover'd dark evil with a deed of joy,</p><p class="line">And hearing in the night a troubled cry--</p><p class="line">'Dawn! Dawn!'--unknowing to the favour rose.</p></div></body></html> · Great War