16 feb 1864 anni - "The Birds begun at Four o'clock - "

Descrizione:

The Birds begun at Four o'clock -
Their period for Dawn -
A Music numerous as space -
But neighboring as Noon -

I could not count their Force -
Their Voices did expend
As Brook by Brook bestows itself
To multiply the Pond.

Their witnesses were not -
Except Occasional Man -
In homely industry arrayed -
To overtake the Morn -

Nor was it for applause -
That I could ascertain -
But independent Extasy
Of Deity, and Men -

By Six, the Flood had done -
No tumult there had been
Of Dressing or Departure -
And yet the Band - was gone -

The Sun engrossed the East -
The Day controlled the World -
The Miracle that introduced
Forgotten, as fulfilled.

In this poem, industry is presented as a contrast to divine nature. Nonetheless, the "Occasional Man" is still allowed to witness divinity, and is not depicted negatively; this acolyte of industry is "homely," a comforting, mundane description next to the engrossing, controlling power of the "Miracle."