O leave the labouring roadways of the town, br The shifting faces and the changeful hue br Of markets, and broad echoing streets that drown br The heart’s own silent music. Though they too br Sing in their proper rhythm, and still delight br The friendly ear that loves warm human kind, br Yet it is good to leave them all behind, br Now when from lily dawn to purple night br Summer is queen, br Summer is queen in all the happy land. br Far, far away among the valleys green br Let us go forth and wander hand in hand br Beyond those solemn hills that we have seen br So often welcome home the falling sun br Into their cloudy peaks when day was done— br Beyond them till we find the ocean strand br And hear the great waves run, br With the waste song whose melodies I’d follow br And weary not for many a summer day, br Born of the vaulted breakers arching hollow br Before they flash and scatter into spray, br On, if we should be weary of their play br Then I would lead you further into land br Where, with their ragged walls, the stately rocks br Shunt in smooth courts and paved with quiet sand br To silence dedicate. The sea-god’s flocks br Have rested here, and mortal eyes have seen br By great adventure at the dead of noon br A lonely nereid drowsing half a-swoon br Buried beneath her dark and dripping locks.