IN a garden filled with sunshine, <br />Deep in the heart of Rome, <br />Came the exiled gods of Hellas, <br />And made themselves a home. <br /> <br />Came Venus, apple-laden-- <br />Came Psyche, clad with wings-- <br />And creatures born of wood and stream-- <br />And every Muse that sings. <br /> <br />To them came flying, one by one, <br />The Hours with noiseless feet; <br />But they lingered all together-- <br />They found the place so sweet! <br /> <br />If you have chanced to lose them, <br />Go look among the flowers, <br />And somewhere in that garden <br />You'll find those wandering Hours! <br /> <br />From every shady portal <br />Shy forms are peeping round; <br />An arch delight is on their brows, <br />But in their lips no sound. <br /> <br />To come and walk among them <br />Soothes all the soul with peace; <br />There are no shadows in the hearts <br />Of these fair gods of Greece! <br /> <br />The murmur of the outer world <br />Can never reach them here; <br />The roses blossom round them, <br />And the fountain trickles near;-- <br /> <br />Calm types of Nature's innocence, <br />Apart from our control, <br />With quietness for atmosphere, <br />And beauty for a soul! <br /> <br />The heights of old Olympus <br />Were grand with storm and shine; <br />The gods who ruled the pagan world <br />Had port and mien divine. <br /> <br />But the younger ones and gentler <br />With willing hearts have come <br />To dwell within this garden, <br />Deep in the heart of Rome.<br /><br />Bessie Rayner Parkes<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/gibson-s-studio/
