W. H. Auden was a poet and essayist whose work ranged across politics, religion, love, psychology, and modern public life. Born in England, he later settled in the United States and became an American citizen.
W. H. Auden
Evening and Night on Primrose Hill
The Gresham, 16th December 1922.
Splendid to be on Primrose Hill
At evening when the world is still!
And City men, in bowler hats, return now day is done,
Rejoicing in embers of the sun.
The City men they come, they go,
Some quick, some slow.
Then silence; the twinkling lights are lit upon the hill,
The moon stands over Primrose Hill.
Auden was known to have written a poem about Primrose Hill while a pupil at Gresham's School in Norfolk, but it was long thought to be lost. In September 2007 it was discovered by the school's former Head of Arts, John Smart, in a copy of the school magazine; though unsigned, it is generally accepted to be one of the poet's earliest works. I am grateful to Mr. Smart for providing me with the text.