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1849–1916

Pan

James Whitcomb Riley

This Pan is but an idle god, I guess, Since all the fair midsummer of my dreams He loiters listlessly by woody streams, Soaking the lush glooms up with laziness;

Or drowsing while the maiden-winds caress Him prankishly, and powder him with gleams Of sifted sunshine. And he ever seems Drugged with a joy unutterable — unless

His low pipes whistle hints of it far out Across the ripples to the dragon-fly That like a wind-born blossom blown about, Drops quiveringly down, as though to die —

Then lifts and wavers on, as if in doubt Whether to fan his wings or fly without.

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Pan · James Whitcomb Riley · Poetry Cove