“With Pipe and Flute.”
With pipe and flute the rustic Pan
Of old made music sweet for man;
And wonder hushed the warbling bird,
And closer drew the calm-eyed herd,
—
The rolling river slowlier ran.
Ah! would,—ah! would, a little span,
Some air of Arcady could fan
This age of ours, too seldom stirred
With pipe and flute!
But now for gold we plot and plan;
And from Beersheba unto Dan,
Apollo’s self might pass unheard,
Or find the night-jar’s note preferred...
Not so it fared, when time began
With pipe and flute!
Austin Dobson.