How Many Bards Gild the Lapses of Time!. By Keats, John. How many bards gild the lapses of time! A few of them have ever been the food Of my delighted fancy, -I could brood Over their beauties, earthly, or sublime: And often, when I sit me down to rhyme, These will in throngs before my mind intrude: But no confusion, no disturbance rude Do they occasion; 'tis a pleasing chime. So the unnumbered sounds that evening store; The songs of birds -the whispering of the leaves - The voice of waters -the great bell that heaves With solemn sound, -and thousand others more, That distance of recognizance bereaves, Makes pleasing music, and not wild uproar.