A Child's Laughter Poem by Algernon Charles Swinburne

A Child's Laughter

Rating: 2.9


ALL the bells of heaven may ring,
All the birds of heaven may sing,
All the wells on earth may spring,
All the winds on earth may bring
All sweet sounds together---
Sweeter far than all things heard,
Hand of harper, tone of bird,
Sound of woods at sundawn stirred,
Welling water's winsome word,
Wind in warm wan weather,

One thing yet there is, that none
Hearing ere its chime be done
Knows not well the sweetest one
Heard of man beneath the sun,
Hoped in heaven hereafter;
Soft and strong and loud and light,
Very sound of very light
Heard from morning's rosiest height,
When the soul of all delight
Fills a child's clear laughter.

Golden bells of welcome rolled
Never forth such notes, nor told
Hours so blithe in tones so bold,
As the radiant mouth of gold
Here that rings forth heaven.
If the golden-crested wren
Were a nightingale---why, then,
Something seen and heard of men
Might be half as sweet as when
Laughs a child of seven.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Rose Marie Juan-austin 18 June 2021

Beautifully expressed and well depicted.

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Dr Dillip K Swain 18 June 2021

Many Congratulations! ! 5 stars

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Sylvia Frances Chan 18 June 2021

Congratulations on being chosen by Poem Hunter and TEam as The Classic Poem Of The Day, just amazing! Fascinating to read and just that Beauty that lies within.5 Stars! I addressed this to the family of the late great poet.

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MAHTAB BANGALEE 18 June 2021

Golden bell comes to the life of child to feel the upcoming future~ beautiful poem penne d

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Jeanette Telusma 25 April 2017

So true... lovely piece! !

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