Lord Alfred Tennyson

Steps with a tender foot, light as on air,
The lovely, lordly creature floated on.

Steps with a tender foot, light as on air,
The lovely, lordly creature floated on.

The slow, sweet hours that bring us all things good.

The slow, sweet hours that bring us all things good.

And so the Word had breath, and wrought
With human hands the creed of creeds
In loveliness read more

And so the Word had breath, and wrought
With human hands the creed of creeds
In loveliness of perfect deeds,
More strong than all poetic thoughts;
Which he may read that binds the sheaf,
Or builds the house, or digs the grave,
And those wild eyes that watch the waves
In roarings round the coral reef.

O Blackbird! sing me something well:
While all the neighbors shoot thee round,
I keep smooth plats read more

O Blackbird! sing me something well:
While all the neighbors shoot thee round,
I keep smooth plats of fruitful ground,
Where thou may'st warble, eat and dwell.

So runs the round of life from hour to hour.

So runs the round of life from hour to hour.