quote · Legacy record
When on some balmy-breathing night of spring The happy child to whom the world is new, Pursues the evening moth of mealy wing, Or from the heath-bell shakes the sparkling dew, He sees before his inexperienced eyes, The brilliant glow-worm like a meteor shine On the turf-bank, surprised, and pleased, he cries “Star of the dewy grass! I make thee mine.” Then, ere he sleeps, collects the moistened flower, And bids soft leaves his glittering prize unfold, And dreams that fairy lamps illume his bower; But in the morning shudders to behold His shining treasure viewless as the dust; So fade the world’s bright joys to cold and blank disgust.
When on some balmy-breathing night of spring The happy child to whom the world is new, Pursues the evening moth of mealy wing, Or from the heath-bell shakes the sparkling dew, He sees before his inexperienced eyes, The brilliant glow-worm like a meteor shine On the turf-bank, surprised, and pleased, he cries “Star of the dewy grass! I make thee mine.” Then, ere he sleeps, collects the moistened flower, And bids soft leaves his glittering prize unfold, And dreams that fairy lamps illume his bower; But in the morning shudders to behold His shining treasure viewless as the dust; So fade the world’s bright joys to cold and blank disgust.
In print by 1888 AD · industrial
Recorded in a printed collection by this date; the original date of these words is still unknown.
Meaning not yet available
An individual explanation has not yet been added. We do not substitute a generic description for an interpretation of these particular words.
Begin with source-checked readings and explanations ↗Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Charlotte Smith (identity unresolved)
Attribution: unknown - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- In print by 1888 AD · industrial
In print by 1888: recorded in A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888). Collection publication is an upper bound for this wording, not its earliest origin, composition date or the author's lifetime.
An author lifetime, approximate period or collection date is not necessarily the date when these words were first written or spoken. - Recorded source
- A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888) (1888 AD)
Page 333 · printed citation: Charlotte Smith · subject: JOY
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.