Longing
Alfred Austin
1835 to 1913
THE hill slopes down to the valley, the stream runs down to the sea,
And my heart, my heart, O far one ! sets and strains towards thee.
But only the feet of the mountain are felt by the rim of the plain,
And the source and soul of the hurrying stream reach not the calling main.
The dawn is sick for the daylight, the morning yearns for the noon,
And the twilight sighs for the evening star and the rising of the moon.
But the dawn and the daylight never were seen in the self-same skies,
And the gloaming dies of its own desire when the moon and the stars arise.
The Springtime calls to the Summer," Oh, mingle your life with mine,"
And Summer to Autumn 'plaineth low," Must the harvest be only thine?
"But the daffodil dies when the swallow comes, ere the leaf is the blossom fled;
And when Autumn sits on her golden sheaves, then the reign of the rose is dead.
And hunger and thirst, and wail and want, are lost in the empty air,
And the heavenly spirit vainly pines for the touch of the earthly fair.
And the hill slopes down to the valley, the stream runs down to the sea,
And my heart, my heart, O far one! sets and strains towards thee.
Alfred Austin's Longing
We are busy working to bring Alfred Austin's "Longing" to life through our unique musical arrangements and will have a full analysis of the poem here for you soon.
At V2Melody, each arrangement is crafted with care through a thoughtful partnership of human artistry and technological innovation. This process involves:
- Deep analysis of the poem's rhythm, structure, and emotional essence
- Careful selection of musical styles that enhance the poem's unique voice
- Balancing traditional poetic expression with contemporary sound landscapes
- Multiple revisions to ensure the arrangement honors the poet's original vision
This creative journey takes time—each composition represents hours of dedicated work to create something that deepens our connection to Alfred Austin's words in meaningful ways.
While you wait for our complete interpretation, we invite you to explore other musical arrangements in our gallery or learn more about Alfred Austin's life and contributions to literature.
Check back soon to experience how "Longing" transforms when verse meets melody—a unique journey that makes poetry accessible, engaging, and profoundly moving in new ways.