Armchair Oxford Scholar

I have a need of silence and of stars; Too much is said too loudly; I am dazed. The silken sound of whirled infinity Is lost in voices shouting to be heard.

I once knew men as earnest and less shrill. An undermeaning that I caught I miss Among these ears that hear all sounds save silence, These eyes that see so much but not the sky, These minds that gain all knowledge but no calm.

If suddenly the desperate music ceased, Could they return to life? or would they stand In dancers' attitudes, puzzled, polite, And striking vaguely hand on tired hand For an encore, to fill the ghastly pause?

I do not know. Some rhythm there may be I cannot hear. But I oh, I must go Back where the breakers of deep sunlight roll Across flat fields that love and touch the sky; Back to the more of earth, the less of man, Where there is still a plain simplicity, And friendship, poor in everything but love, And faith, unwise, unquestioned, but a star.

Soon now the peace of summer will be there With cloudy fire of myrtles in full bloom; And, when the marvelous wide evenings come, Across the molten river one can see The misty willow-green of Arcady.

And then the summer stars ... I will go home.