Tears Idle Tears by Alfred Lord Tennyson
b'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.'