Sonnets and Verse

SONNETS AND VERSE BY H. BELLOC


BY H. BELLOC
DUCKWORTH & CO. 3 HENRIETTA STREET, LONDON, W.C. First Published in 1923 All rights reserved Made and Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh To JOHN SWINNERTON PHILLIMORE A DEDICATION WITH THIS BOOK OF VERSE
When you and I were little tiny boys We took a most impertinent delight In foolish, painted and misshapen toys Which hidden mothers brought to us at night.
Do you that have the child’s diviner part— The dear content a love familiar brings— Take these imperfect toys, till in your heart They too attain the form of perfect things.


Lift up your hearts in Gumber, laugh the Weald And you my mother the Valley of Arun sing. Here am I homeward from my wandering Here am I homeward and my heart is healed. You my companions whom the World has tired Come out to greet me. I have found a face More beautiful than Gardens; more desired Than boys in exile love their native place.
Lift up your hearts in Gumber, laugh the Weald And you most ancient Valley of Arun sing. Here am I homeward from my wandering, Here am I homeward and my heart is healed. If I was thirsty, I have heard a spring. If I was dusty, I have found a field.