Skip to content
Linespedia

Oxford Revisited

By William Lisle Bowles

Topics: classic

I never hear the sound of thy glad bells,     Oxford, and chime harmonious, but I say,     Sighing to think how time has worn away,     Some spirit speaks in the sweet tone that swells,     Heard after years of absence, from the vale     Where Cherwell winds. Most true it speaks the tale     Of days departed, and its voice recalls     Hours of delight and hope in the gay tide     Of life, and many friends now scattered wide     By many fates. Peace be within thy walls!     I have scarce heart to visit thee; but yet,     Denied the joys sought in thy shades, denied     Each better hope, since my poor Harriet died,     What I have owed to thee, my heart can ne'er forget!

AI analysis available. Enable JavaScript to interact.

About this line

"I never hear the sound of thy glad bells,..."

"Oxford Revisited" is a quintessential example of William Lisle Bowles's signature style... ### Why We Love This Line At Linespedia, we believe that poetry is the ultimate sanctuary for the soul...

Attribution & Rights

Author:William Lisle Bowles

"I never hear the sound of thy glad bells,..." by William Lisle Bowles

For usage rights, copyright concerns, or to report an issue with this content, please visit our Copyright & Report page.

Related lines

"While slowly wanders thy sequestered stream,     WAINSBECK, the mossy-scattered rocks among,     In fancy's ear making a plaintive song     To"

"On these white cliffs, that calm above the flood     Uprear their shadowing heads, and at their feet     Hear not the surge that has for ages be"

"Christian! for none who scorns that holy name      Can gaze with honest eyes on Southey's fame;      Christian! bow down thy head in humble fea"

"The mighty master waved his wand, and, lo!      On the astonished eye the glorious show      Burst like a vision! Spirit of the place!      Ha"

"Here morning in the ploughman's songs is met     Ere yet one footstep shows in all the sky,     And twilight in the east, a doubt as yet,     S"

"The Text is taken from Percy's Reliques (1765), vol. i. p. 71, 'given from two MS. copies, transmitted from Scotland.' Herd had a very similar bal"

William Lisle Bowles

About William Lisle Bowles

William Lisle Bowles is a distinguished poet whose works have shaped the landscape of English literature. Their poetry explores the depths of human emotion, nature, love, and philosophical thought through powerful and evocative verse. Readers continue to find solace, inspiration, and beauty in their timeless words.

Full Bibliography
Continue Reading

"While slowly wanders thy sequestered stream,     W..."

Weekly Poetic Insight

Join our literary Sanctuary

Get the most inspiring lines, poetic analysis, and secret shayaris delivered to your inbox every Sunday.