Tears Idle Tears by Alfred Lord Tennyson
Tennyson read by Classic Poetry Aloud:\nhttp://www.classicpoetryaloud.com/\n\nGiving voice to the poetry of the past.\n\n---------------------------------------------\n\nSongs from \u201cThe Princess.\u201d IV. Tears, Idle Tears \nby Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809 \u2013 1892) \n\n\nTears, idle tears, I know not what they mean, \nTears from the depth of some divine despair \nRise in the heart, and gather to the eyes, \nIn looking on the happy Autumn-fields, \nAnd thinking of the days that are no more. \n\nFresh as the first beam glittering on a sail, \nThat brings our friends up from the underworld, \nSad as the last which reddens over one \nThat sinks with all we love below the verge; \nSo sad, so fresh, the days that are no more. \n\nAh, sad and strange as in dark summer dawns \nThe earliest pipe of half-awaken\u2019d birds \nTo dying ears, when unto dying eyes \nThe casement slowly grows a glimmering square; \nSo sad, so strange, the days that are no more. \n\nDear as remember\u2019d kisses after death, \nAnd sweet as those by hopeless fancy feign\u2019d \nOn lips that are for others; deep as love, \nDeep as first love, and wild with all regret; \nO Death in Life, the days that are no more.