Poems (Hardy)/On a photograph of school children
ON A PHOTOGRAPH OFSCHOOL CHILDREN
THEY say we praise too much this lyric land, Its bloomy plains, its mountains bold and high; With orient phrase and metaphor, we dyeIts golden rivers and its wave-warm strand;There where our homes, by sea-winds faintly fanned, 'Mid lucent-clustered vines and orchards lie, We dwell, complacent that no other skyRounds its blue dome above a clime so grand.Is this a grievous fault, if it be true, To love our land? But never let them say O bright expectant throng, sun-pictured here,That Nature showers in vain her gifts on you. Lo, with these splendors you may match your day, And greaten all the glory of the year.