Living

Songs of Seven: Seven Times One. Exultation

by Jean Ingelow 1820–1897

From Poems by Jean Ingelow, In Two Volumes, Volume I.

Living

There's no dew left on the daisies and clover,
There's no rain left in heaven:
I've said my "seven times" over and over,
Seven times one are seven.

I am old, so old, I can write a letter;
My birthday lessons are done;
The lambs play always, they know no better;
They are only one times one.

O moon! in the night I have seen you sailing
And shining so round and low;
You were bright! ah bright! but your light is failing--
You are nothing now but a bow.

You moon, have you done something wrong in heaven
That God has hidden your face?
I hope if you have you will soon be forgiven,
And shine again in your place.

O velvet bee, you're a dusty fellow,
You've powdered your legs with gold!
O brave marsh marybuds, rich and yellow,
Give me your money to hold!

O columbine, open your folded wrapper,
Where two twin turtle-doves dwell!
O cuckoo pint, toll me the purple clapper
That hangs in your clear green bell!

And show me your nest with the young ones in it;
I will not steal them away;
I am old! you may trust me, linnet, linnet--
I am seven times one to-day.

MLA

Ingelow, Jean. “Songs of Seven: Seven Times One. Exultation.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/ingelow/183/.

Chicago

Ingelow, Jean. “Songs of Seven: Seven Times One. Exultation.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/ingelow/183/.

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