Nature

Grass of Parnassus

by Andrew Lang 1844–1912

From Grass of Parnassus

Nature

PALE star that by the lochs of Galloway,
In wet green places ’twixt the depth and height
Dost keep thine hour while Autumn ebbs away,
When now the moors have doffed the heather bright,
Grass of Parnassus, flower of my delight,
How gladly with the unpermitted bay—
Garlands not mine, and leaves that not decay—
How gladly would I twine thee if I might!

The bays are out of reach! But far below
The peaks forbidden of the Muses’ Hill,
Grass of Parnassus, thy returning snow
Between September and October chill
Doth speak to me of Autumns long ago,
And these kind faces that are with me still.

MLA

Lang, Andrew. “Grass of Parnassus.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/lang/0/.

Chicago

Lang, Andrew. “Grass of Parnassus.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/lang/0/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Andrew Lang