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Poems Every Child Should Know

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<h3>I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud.</h3> <div class="pre_poem">"The Daffodil" is here out of compliment to a splendid school and a splendid teacher at Poughkeepsie. I found the pupils learning the poem, the teacher having placed a bunch of daffodils in a vase before them. It was a charming lesson. (1770-96.) </div> <table class="poem" summary="poem"><tr><td><div class="stanza"> I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host of golden daffodils: Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. </div> <div class="stanza"> Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the milky way, They stretched in never-ending line Along the margin of a bay; Ten thousand saw I at a glance, Tossing their heads in sprightly dance. </div> <div class="stanza"> The waves beside them danced, but they Outdid the sparkling waves in glee:— A poet could not but be gay In such a jocund company; I gazed—and gazed—but little thought What wealth the show to me had brought. </div> <div class="stanza"> For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils. </div> </td></tr></table> William Wordsworth. <h3>John Barleycorn.</h3> <div class="pre_poem">"John Barleycorn" is a favourite with boys because it pictures a successful struggle. One editor has made a temperance poem of it, mistaking its true intent. The poem is a strong expression of a plow-man's love for a hardy, food-giving grain which has sprung to life through his efforts. (1759-96.) </div> <table class="poem" summary="poem"><tr><td><div class="stanza"> There were three kings into the East, Three kings both great and high; And they ha'e sworn a solemn oath John Barleycorn should die. </div> <div class="stanza"> They took a plow and plowed him down, Put clods upon his head; And they ha'e sworn a solemn oath John Barleycorn was dead. </div> <div class="stanza"> But the cheerful spring came kindly on, And showers began to fall; John Barleycorn got up again, And sore surprised them all. </div> <div class="stanza"> The sultry suns of summer came, And he grew thick and strong; His head well arm'd wi' pointed spears, That no one should him wrong. </div> <div class="stanza"> The sober autumn entered mild, And he grew wan and pale; His bending joints and drooping head Showed he began to fail. </div> <div class="stanza"> His colour sickened more and more, He faded into age; And then his enemies began To show their deadly rage. </div> <div class="stanza"> They took a weapon long and sharp, And cut him by the knee, Then tied him fast upon a cart, Like a rogue for forgery. </div> <div class="stanza"> They laid him down upon his back, And cudgelled him full sore; They hung him up before the storm, And turn'd him o'er and o'er. </div> <div class="stanza"> They filled up then a darksome pit With water to the brim, And heaved in poor John Barleycorn, To let him sink or swim. </div> <div class="stanza"> They laid him out upon the floor, To work him further woe; And still as signs of life appeared, They tossed him to and fro. </div> <div class="stanza"> They wasted o'er a scorching flame The marrow of his bones; But a miller used him worst of all— He crushed him 'tween two stones. </div> <div class="stanza"> And they have taken his very heart's blood, And drunk it round and round; And still the more and more they drank, Their joy did more abound. </div> </td></tr></table> Robert Burns. <h3>A Life on the Ocean Wave.</h3> <div class="pre_poem">"A Life on the Ocean Wave," by Epes Sargent (1813-80), gives the swing and motion of the water of the great ocean. Children remember it almost unconsciously after hearing it read several times. </div> <table class="poem" summary="poem"><tr><td><div class="stanza"> A life on the ocean wave, A home on the rolling deep, Where the scattered waters rave, And the winds their revels keep! Like an eagle caged, I pine On this dull, unchanging shore: Oh! give me the flashing brine, The spray and the tempest's roar! </div> <div class="stanza"> Once more on the deck I stand Of my own swift-gliding craft: Set sail! farewell to the land! The gale follows fair abaft. We shoot through the sparkling foam Like an ocean-bird set free;— Like the ocean-bird, our home We'll find far out on the sea. </div> <div class="stanza"> The land is no longer in view, The clouds have begun to frown; But with a stout vessel and crew, We'll say, Let the storm come down! And the song of our hearts shall be, While the winds and the waters rave, A home on the rolling sea! A life on the ocean wave! </div> </td></tr></table> Epes Sargent. <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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