s: Nor be the trumpet heard! O vain, O vain;


s: Nor breath of sleeping dove, nor river's flow,--


s: No, nor the Eolian twang of Love's own bow,


s: Yet deign, white Queen of Beauty, thy fair eyes


s: Who has another care when thou hast smil'd?


s: All death-shadows, and glooms that overcast


s: Our spirits, fann'd away by thy light pinions.


s: O sweetest essence! sweetest of all minions!


s: God of warm pulses, and dishevell'd hair,


s: For clamour, when the golden palace door


s: Opened again, and from without, in shone


s: To take a latest glimpse at his sheep-fold,


s: Scoop'd from its trembling sisters of mid-sea,


s: Of Doris, and the Egean seer, her spouse--


s: Next, on a dolphin, clad in laurel boughs,


s: His fingers went across it--All were mute


s: He could not bear it--shut his eyes in vain;


s: "O I shall die! sweet Venus, be my stay!


s: I die--I hear her voice--I feel my wing--"


s: At Neptune's feet he sank. A sudden ring


s: Of Nereids were about him, in kind strife


s: But still he slept. At last they interwove


s: Their cradling arms, and purpos'd to convey


s: Lo! while slow carried through the pitying crowd,


s: To his inward senses these words spake aloud;


s: Written in star-light on the dark above:


s: How have I dwelt in fear of fate: 'tis done--


s: Immortal bliss for me too hast thou won._


s: _Arise then! for the hen-dove shall not hatch


s: Her ready eggs, before I'll kissing snatch


s: Thee into endless heaven. Awake! awake!_


s: Came quiet to his eyes; and forest green,


s: Cooler than all the wonders he had seen,


s: Lull'd with its simple song his fluttering breast.


s: O first-born on the mountains! by the hues


s: Long didst thou sit alone in northern grot,


s: While yet our England was a wolfish den;


s: Before our forests heard the talk of men;


s: Before the first of Druids was a child;--


s: Long didst thou sit amid our regions wild


s: There came an eastern voice of solemn mood:--


s: Yet wast thou patient. Then sang forth the Nine,


s: Apollo's garland:--yet didst thou divine


s: Such home-bred glory, that they cry'd in vain,


s: "Come hither, Sister of the Island!" Plain


s: Spake fair Ausonia; and once more she spake


s: A higher summons:--still didst thou betake


s: Thee to thy native hopes. O thou hast won


s: A full accomplishment! The thing is done,


s: Which undone, these our latter days had risen


s: On barren souls. Great Muse, thou know'st what prison,


s: Of flesh and bone, curbs, and confines, and frets


s: Our pillows; and the fresh to-morrow morn


s: Seems to give forth its light in very scorn


s: Of our dull, uninspired, snail-paced lives.


s: Long have I said, how happy he who shrives


s: To thee! But then I thought on poets gone,


s: And could not pray:--nor can I now--so on


s: I move to the end in lowliness of heart.--


s: "Ah, woe is me! that I should fondly part


s: From my dear native land! Ah, foolish maid!


s: Glad was the hour, when, with thee, myriads bade


s: Adieu to Ganges and their pleasant fields!


s: To one so friendless the clear freshet yields


s: A bitter coolness; the ripe grape is sour:


s: Yet I would have, great gods! but one short hour


s: When these words reach'd him. Whereupon he bows


s: His head through thorny-green entanglement


s: Anxious as hind towards her hidden fawn.


s: "Is no one near to help me? No fair dawn


s: Of life from charitable voice? No sweet saying


s: To set my dull and sadden'd spirit playing?


s: No hand to toy with mine? No lips so sweet


s: That I may worship them? No eyelids meet


s: Before me, till from these enslaving eyes


s: Redemption sparkles!--I am sad and lost."


s: Thou, Carian lord, hadst better have been tost


s: Warm mountaineer! for canst thou only bear


s: See not her charms! Is Phœbe passionless?


s: Yet if thou wilt behold all beauty's store,


s: Do not those curls of glossy jet surpass


s: Amongst them? Feelest not a kindred pain,


s: To see such lovely eyes in swimming search


s: After some warm delight, that seems to perch


s: From his green prison, and here kneeling down


s: Call me his queen, his second life's fair crown!


s: Ah me, how I could love!--My soul doth melt


s: For the unhappy youth--Love! I have felt


s: So faint a kindness, such a meek surrender


s: To what my own full thoughts had made too tender,


s: That but for tears my life had fled away!--


s: Ye deaf and senseless minutes of the day,


s: And thou, old forest, hold ye this for true,


s: But in the eye of love: there's not a sound,


s: The heavens and earth in one to such a death


s: As doth the voice of love: there's not a breath


s: Till it has panted round, and stolen a share


s: He leant, wretched. He surely cannot now


s: Thought he, "Why am I not as are the dead,


s: Since to a woe like this I have been led


s: Through the dark earth, and through the wondrous sea?


s: Goddess! I love thee not the less: from thee


s: By Juno's smile I turn not--no, no, no--


s: While the great waters are at ebb and flow.--


s: For both, for both my love is so immense,


s: I feel my heart is cut in twain for them."


s: And so he groan'd, as one by beauty slain.


s: The lady's heart beat quick, and he could see


s: He sprang from his green covert: there she lay,


s: With all her limbs on tremble, and her eyes


s: Shut softly up alive. To speak he tries.


s: Grief born of thee, young angel! fairest thief!


s: Who stolen hast away the wings wherewith


s: I was to top the heavens. Dear maid, sith


s: Will in a few short hours be nothing to me,


s: And all my story that much passion slew me;


s: And, for my tortur'd brain begins to craze,


s: How dying I shall kiss that lily hand.--


s: Dost weep for me? Then should I be content.


s: Outblackens Erebus, and the full-cavern'd earth


s: Crumbles into itself. By the cloud girth


s: Of Jove, those tears have given me a thirst


s: To meet oblivion."--As her heart would burst


s: The maiden sobb'd awhile, and then replied:


s: As that thou speakest of? Are not these green nooks


s: Utter a gorgon voice? Does yonder thrush,


s: Schooling its half-fledg'd little ones to brush


s: Speak not of grief, young stranger, or cold snails


s: Will slime the rose to night. Though if thou wilt,


s: Methinks 'twould be a guilt--a very guilt--


s: The light--the dusk--the dark--till break of day!"


s: I love thee! and my days can never last.


s: That I may pass in patience still speak:


s: Didst thou not after other climates call,


s: And murmur about Indian streams?"--Then she,


s: Sitting beneath the midmost forest tree,


s: The natural hue of health, from vermeil lips?--


s: The lustrous passion from a falcon-eye?--


s: To tinge, on syren shores, the salt sea-spry?


s: The mellow ditties from a mourning tongue?--


s: That thou mayst listen the cold dews among?


s: Heart's lightness from the merriment of May?--


s: Though he should dance from eve till peep of day--


s: And thought to leave her far away behind;


s: "Beneath my palm trees, by the river side,


s: I sat a weeping: in the whole world wide


s: There was no one to ask me why I wept,--


s: Cheated by shadowy wooer from the clouds,


s: Beneath dark palm trees by a river side?


s: "And as I sat, over the light blue hills


s: There came a noise of revellers: the rills


s: Into the wide stream came of purple hue--


s: The earnest trumpet spake, and silver thrills


s: Like to a moving vintage down they came,


s: Crown'd with green leaves, and faces all on flame;


s: All madly dancing through the pleasant valley,


s: O then, O then, thou wast a simple name!


s: By shepherds is forgotten, when, in June,


s: Tall chesnuts keep away the sun and moon:--


s: "Within his car, aloft, young Bacchus stood,


s: And little rills of crimson wine imbrued


s: His plump white arms, and shoulders, enough white


s: "Whence came ye, merry Damsels! whence came ye!


s: 'We follow Bacchus! Bacchus on the wing,


s: Bacchus, young Bacchus! good or ill betide,


s: We dance before him thorough kingdoms wide:--


s: "Whence came ye, jolly Satyrs! whence came ye!


s: Why have ye left your forest haunts, why left


s: 'For wine, for wine we left our kernel tree;


s: For wine we left our heath, and yellow brooms,


s: For wine we follow Bacchus through the earth;


s: Great God of breathless cups and chirping mirth!--


s: "Over wide streams and mountains great we went,


s: And, save when Bacchus kept his ivy tent,


s: Onward these myriads--with song and dance,


s: With zebras striped, and sleek Arabians' prance,


s: Bearing upon their scaly backs, in files,


s: Plump infant laughers mimicking the coil


s: Of seamen, and stout galley-rowers' toil:


s: With toying oars and silken sails they glide,


s: "Mounted on panthers' furs and lions' manes,


s: From rear to van they scour about the plains;


s: About the wilds they hunt with spear and horn,


s: And from their treasures scatter pearled hail;


s: Great Brahma from his mystic heaven groans,


s: Before young Bacchus' eye-wink turning pale.--


s: Into these regions came I following him,


s: And I have told thee all thou mayest hear.


s: In search of pleasure throughout every clime:


s: To lose in grieving all my maiden prime.


s: Like an own babe I nurse thee on my breast:


s: But now of all the world I love thee best.


s: Her playmate, and her wooer in the shade."


s: And look, quite dead to every worldly thing!


s: Endymion could not speak, but gazed on her;


s: And listened to the wind that now did stir


s: Yet with as sweet a softness as might be


s: At last he said: "Poor lady, how thus long


s: Fair Melody! kind Syren! I've no choice;


s: I cannot choose but kneel here and adore.


s: Let me not think, soft Angel! shall it be so?


s: Say, beautifullest, shall I never think?


s: O thou could'st foster me beyond the brink


s: Close up its bloodshot eyes, nor see despair!


s: I'm giddy at that cheek so fair and smooth;


s: With the tinge of love, panting in safe alarm.--


s: And this is sure thine other softling--this


s: Wilt fall asleep? O let me sip that tear!


s: And whisper one sweet word that I may know


s: This is this world--sweet dewy blossom!"--_Woe!


s: Woe! Woe to that Endymion! Where is he?_--


s: Through the wide forest--a most fearful tone,


s: And while it died away a shade pass'd by,


s: Through the thick branches, poor ring-doves sleek forth


s: Their timid necks and tremble; so these both


s: Leant to each other trembling, and sat so


s: Beyond the tall tree tops; and in less time


s: Than shoots the slanted hail-storm, down he dropt


s: Towards the ground; but rested not, nor stopt


s: One moment from his home: only the sward


s: He with his wand light touch'd, and heavenward


s: Swifter than sight was gone--even before


s: Above the crystal circlings white and clear;


s: And catch the cheated eye in wild surprise,


s: How they can dive in sight and unseen rise--


s: So from the turf outsprang two steeds jet-black,


s: Each with large dark blue wings upon his back.


s: The youth of Caria plac'd the lovely dame


s: On one, and felt himself in spleen to tame


s: The other's fierceness. Through the air they flew,


s: High as the eagles. Like two drops of dew


s: Exhal'd to Phœbus' lips, away they are gone,


s: Among cool clouds and winds, but that the free,


s: The buoyant life of song can floating be


s: Above their heads, and follow them untir'd.--


s: This is the giddy air, and I must spread


s: Wide pinions to keep here; nor do I dread


s: Or height, or depth, or width, or any chance


s: Those towering horses and their mournful freight.


s: Could I thus sail, and see, and thus await


s: Fearless for power of thought, without thine aid?--


s: There is a sleepy dusk, an odorous shade


s: From some approaching wonder, and behold


s: Those winged steeds, with snorting nostrils bold


s: Snuff at its faint extreme, and seem to tire,


s: There curl'd a purple mist around them; soon,


s: It seem'd as when around the pale new moon


s: Sad Zephyr droops the clouds like weeping willow:


s: 'Twas Sleep slow journeying with head on pillow.


s: For the first time, since he came nigh dead born


s: From the old womb of night, his cave forlorn


s: Had he left more forlorn; for the first time,


s: He felt aloof the day and morning's prime--


s: There came a dream, shewing how a young man,


s: Ere a lean bat could plump its wintery skin,


s: Would at high Jove's empyreal footstool win


s: Jove's daughter, and be reckon'd of his house.


s: Now was he slumbering towards heaven's gate,


s: That he might at the threshold one hour wait


s: Diversely ting'd with rose and amethyst,


s: Puzzled those eyes that for the centre sought;


s: And scarcely for one moment could be caught


s: Those two on winged steeds, with all the stress


s: Of vision search'd for him, as one would look


s: To catch a glance at silver throated eels,--


s: Or from old Skiddaw's top, when fog conceals


s: With an eye-guess towards some pleasant vale


s: Descry a favourite hamlet faint and far.


s: These raven horses, though they foster'd are


s: Their full-veined ears, nostrils blood wide, and stop;


s: Upon the spiritless mist have they outspread


s: Their ample feathers, are in slumber dead,--


s: The mournful wanderer dreams. Behold! he walks


s: On heaven's pavement; brotherly he talks


s: To divine powers: from his hand full fain


s: Juno's proud birds are pecking pearly grain:


s: He tries the nerve of Phœbus' golden bow,


s: And asketh where the golden apples grow:


s: And strives in vain to unsettle and wield


s: A full-brimm'd goblet, dances lightly, sings


s: And lost in pleasure at her feet he sinks,


s: Touching with dazzled lips her starlight hand.


s: Green-kyrtled Spring, flush Summer, golden store


s: Join dance with shadowy Hours; while still the blast,


s: To sway their floating morris. "Whose is this?


s: Whose bugle?" he inquires: they smile--"O Dis!


s: Why is this mortal here? Dost thou not know


s: Its mistress' lips? Not thou?--'Tis Dian's: lo!


s: She rises crescented!" He looks, 'tis she,


s: His very goddess: good-bye earth, and sea,


s: And air, and pains, and care, and suffering;


s: Good-bye to all but love! Then doth he spring


s: Towards her, and awakes--and, strange, o'erhead,


s: Of those same fragrant exhalations bred,


s: Stood smiling; merry Hebe laughs and nods;


s: Too well awake, he feels the panting side


s: Where that same treacherous wax began to run,


s: Felt not more tongue-tied than Endymion.


s: His heart leapt up as to its rightful throne,


s: To that fair shadow'd passion puls'd its way--


s: So fond, so beauteous was his bed-fellow,


s: He could not help but kiss her: then he grew


s: Young Phœbe's, golden hair'd; and so 'gan crave


s: Forgiveness: yet he turn'd once more to look


s: At the sweet sleeper,--all his soul was shook,--


s: She press'd his hand in slumber; so once more


s: He could not help but kiss her and adore.


s: The Latmian started up: "Bright goddess, stay!


s: Search my most hidden breast! By truth's own tongue,


s: These words awoke the stranger of dark tresses:


s: Her dawning love-look rapt Endymion blesses


s: With 'haviour soft. Sleep yawned from underneath.


s: "Thou swan of Ganges, let us no more breathe


s: This murky phantasm! thou contented seem'st


s: Pillow'd in lovely idleness, nor dream'st


s: What horrors may discomfort thee and me.


s: Ah, shouldst thou die from my heart-treachery!--


s: Yet did she merely weep--her gentle soul


s: In tenderness, would I were whole in love!


s: Can I prize thee, fair maid, till price above,


s: I do, I do.--What is this soul then? Whence


s: Some fearful end must be: where, where is it?


s: Alone about the dark--Forgive me, sweet:


s: Shall we away?" He rous'd the steeds: they beat


s: Their wings chivalrous into the clear air,


s: Leaving old Sleep within his vapoury lair.


s: The good-night blush of eve was waning slow,


s: Nor did speed hinder converse soft and strange--


s: Eternal oaths and vows they interchange,


s: 'Tis well nigh past man's search their hearts to see;


s: Whether they wept, or laugh'd, or griev'd, or toy'd--


s: Most like with joy gone mad, with sorrow cloy'd.


s: Fell facing their swift flight, from ebon streak,


s: The moon put forth a little diamond peak,


s: Bright signal that she only stoop'd to tie


s: She bow'd into the heavens her timid head.


s: Slowly she rose, as though she would have fled,


s: While to his lady meek the Carian turn'd,


s: To mark if her dark eyes had yet discern'd


s: This beauty in its birth--Despair! despair!


s: In the cold moonshine. Straight he seiz'd her wrist;


s: It melted from his grasp: her hand he kiss'd,


s: And, horror! kiss'd his own--he was alone.


s: Her steed a little higher soar'd, and then


s: Beyond the seeming confines of the space


s: Made for the soul to wander in and trace


s: Dark regions are around it, where the tombs


s: Of buried griefs the spirit sees, but scarce


s: One hour doth linger weeping, for the pierce


s: Of new-born woe it feels more inly smart:


s: And in these regions many a venom'd dart


s: At random flies; they are the proper home


s: Who hath not journeyed in this native hell.


s: But few have ever felt how calm and well


s: Sleep may be had in that deep den of all.


s: There anguish does not sting; nor pleasure pall:


s: Beset with plainful gusts, within ye hear


s: No sound so loud as when on curtain'd bier


s: The death-watch tick is stifled. Enter none


s: Who strive therefore: on the sudden it is won.


s: Then it is free to him; and from an urn,


s: Still fed by melting ice, he takes a draught--


s: Dark Paradise! where pale becomes the bloom


s: Of health by due; where silence dreariest


s: Where those eyes are the brightest far that keep


s: Their lids shut longest in a dreamless sleep.


s: Pregnant with such a den to save the whole


s: In thine own depth. Hail, gentle Carian!


s: For, never since thy griefs and woes began,


s: Hast thou felt so content: a grievous feud


s: Aye, his lull'd soul was there, although upborne


s: With dangerous speed: and so he did not mourn


s: Because he knew not whither he was going.


s: Of trumpets at clear parley from the east


s: Could rouse from that fine relish, that high feast.


s: They stung the feather'd horse: with fierce alarm


s: He flapp'd towards the sound. Alas, no charm


s: Could lift Endymion's head, or he had view'd


s: And silvery was its passing: voices sweet


s: Warbling the while as if to lull and greet


s: The wanderer in his path. Thus warbled they,


s: While past the vision went in bright array.


s: "Who, who from Dian's feast would be away?


s: He leans away for highest heaven and sings,


s: Young playmates of the rose and daffodil,


s: With fennel green, and balm, and golden pines,


s: Cool parsley, basil sweet, and sunny thyme;


s: Yea, every flower and leaf of every clime,


s: Crystalline brother of the belt of heaven,


s: Two liquid pulse streams 'stead of feather'd wings,


s: Two fan-like fountains,--thine illuminings


s: Let thy white shoulders silvery and bare


s: Shew cold through watery pinions; make more bright


s: The Star-Queen's crescent on her marriage night:


s: A third is in the race! who is the third,


s: The Lion's mane's on end: the Bear how fierce!


s: The Centaur's arrow ready seems to pierce


s: Into the blue of heaven. He'll be shent,


s: When he shall hear the wedding lutes a playing.--


s: So timidly among the stars: come hither!


s: Join this bright throng, and nimbly follow whither


s: Has wept for thee, calling to Jove aloud.


s: Ye shall for ever live and love, for all


s: Endymion heard not: down his steed him bore,


s: Prone to the green head of a misty hill.


s: His first touch of the earth went nigh to kill.


s: "Alas!" said he, "were I but always borne


s: Through dangerous winds, had but my footsteps worn


s: Who lives beyond earth's boundary, grief is dim,


s: The grass; I feel the solid ground--Ah, me!


s: It is thy voice--divinest! Where?--who? who


s: Where didst thou melt too? By thee will I sit


s: Us live in peace, in love and peace among


s: To nothing, lov'd a nothing, nothing seen


s: Or felt but a great dream! O I have been


s: Presumptuous against love, against the sky,


s: Of mortals each to each, against the blooms


s: Of flowers, rush of rivers, and the tombs


s: Of heroes gone! Against his proper glory


s: There never liv'd a mortal man, who bent


s: But starv'd and died. My sweetest Indian, here,


s: Here will I kneel, for thou redeemed hast


s: My life from too thin breathing: gone and past


s: Are cloudy phantasms. Caverns lone, farewel!


s: And air of visions, and the monstrous swell


s: Of tangled wonder, breathless and aghast.


s: Adieu, my daintiest Dream! although so vast


s: My love is still for thee. The hour may come


s: On earth I may not love thee; and therefore


s: Doves will I offer up, and sweetest store


s: All through the teeming year: so thou wilt shine


s: And bless our simple lives. My Indian bliss!


s: One sigh of real breath--one gentle squeeze,


s: Warm as a dove's nest among summer trees,


s: And warm with dew at ooze from living blood!


s: Whither didst melt? Ah, what of that!--all good


s: We'll talk about--no more of dreaming.--Now,


s: Where shall our dwelling be? Under the brow


s: Would hide us up, although spring leaves were none;


s: And where dark yew trees, as we rustle through,


s: Will drop their scarlet berry cups of dew?


s: O thou wouldst joy to live in such a place;


s: Dusk for our loves, yet light enough to grace


s: Those gentle limbs on mossy bed reclin'd:


s: For by one step the blue sky shouldst thou find,


s: See, through the trees, a little river go


s: Honey from out the gnarled hive I'll bring,


s: And apples, wan with sweetness, gather thee,--


s: Cresses that grow where no man may them see,


s: And sorrel untorn by the dew-claw'd stag:


s: Pipes will I fashion of the syrinx flag,


s: That thou mayst always know whither I roam,


s: When it shall please thee in our quiet home


s: To listen and think of love. Still let me speak;


s: Still let me dive into the joy I seek,--


s: For yet the past doth prison me. The rill,


s: Thou haply mayst delight in, will I fill


s: With fairy fishes from the mountain tarn,


s: And thou shall feed them from the squirrel's barn.


s: Its bottom will I strew with amber shells,


s: And pebbles blue from deep enchanted wells.


s: Its sides I'll plant with dew-sweet eglantine,


s: And honeysuckles full of clear bee-wine.


s: I will entice this crystal rill to trace


s: Love's silver name upon the meadow's face.


s: I'll kneel to Vesta, for a flame of fire;


s: That I may see thy beauty through the night;


s: And they shall bring thee taper fishing-rods


s: Of gold, and lines of Naiads' long bright tress.


s: Heaven shield thee for thine utter loveliness!


s: 'Fore which I'll bend, bending, dear love, to thee:


s: Those lips shall be my Delphos, and shall speak


s: Laws to my footsteps, colour to my cheek,


s: Trembling or stedfastness to this same voice,


s: And of three sweetest pleasurings the choice:


s: And that affectionate light, those diamond things,


s: Those eyes, those passions, those supreme pearl springs,


s: Shall be my grief, or twinkle me to pleasure.


s: Say, is not bliss within our perfect seisure?


s: Thus strove by fancies vain and crude to clear


s: It gave bright gladness to his lady's eye,


s: And yet the tears she wept were tears of sorrow;


s: Answering thus, just as the golden morrow


s: Beam'd upward from the vallies of the east:


s: "O that the flutter of this heart had ceas'd,


s: Or the sweet name of love had pass'd away.


s: Young feathor'd tyrant! by a swift decay


s: Wilt thou devote this body to the earth:


s: For at the first, first dawn and thought of thee,


s: With uplift hands I blest the stars of heaven.


s: To think thee kind, but ah, it will not do!


s: When yet a child, I heard that kisses drew


s: Favour from thee, and so I gave and gave


s: To the void air, bidding them find out love:


s: All fancy, pride, and fickle maidenhood,


s: All earthly pleasure, all imagin'd good,


s: Was the warm tremble of a devout kiss,--


s: Even then, that moment, at the thought of this,


s: And languish'd there three days. Ye milder powers,


s: Am I not cruelly wrong'd? Believe, believe


s: With my own fancies garlands of sweet life,


s: Thou shouldst be one of all. Ah, bitter strife!


s: Indeed I am--thwarted, affrighted, chidden,


s: By things I trembled at, and gorgon wrath.


s: Twice hast thou ask'd whither I went: henceforth


s: Ourselves at once to vengeance; we might die;


s: We might embrace and die: voluptuous thought!


s: No, no, that shall not be: thee will I bless,


s: No word return'd: both lovelorn, silent, wan,


s: Far wandering, they were perforce content


s: To sit beneath a fair lone beechen tree;


s: Por'd on its hazle cirque of shedded leaves.


s: Truth the best music in a first-born song.


s: Thy lute-voic'd brother will I sing ere long,


s: And thou shall aid--hast thou not aided me?


s: Has been thy meed for many thousand years;


s: Yet often have I, on the brink of tears,


s: Mourn'd as if yet thou wert a forester;--


s: His eyes from the dead leaves, or one small pulse


s: Of joy he might have felt. The spirit culls


s: Through the old garden-ground of boyish days.


s: By which he took his first soft poppy dream;


s: And on the very bark 'gainst which he leant


s: A crescent he had carv'd, and round it spent


s: His skill in little stars. The teeming tree


s: Had swollen and green'd the pious charactery,


s: But not ta'en out. Why, there was not a slope


s: Up which he had not fear'd the antelope;


s: And not a tree, beneath whose rooty shade


s: He had not with his tamed leopards play'd;


s: Fly in the air where his had never been--


s: Why does his lady smile, pleasing her eye


s: With all his sorrowing? He sees her not.


s: But who so stares on him? His sister sure!


s: His lady smiles; delight is in her face;


s: Endymion, weep not so! Why shouldst thou pine


s: Thank the great gods, and look not bitterly;


s: And speak not one pale word, and sigh no more.


s: Sure I will not believe thou hast such store


s: Of grief, to last thee to my kiss again.


s: Thou surely canst not bear a mind in pain,


s: Come hand in hand with one so beautiful.


s: The flowers of autumn for your coronals.


s: Pan's holy priest for young Endymion calls;


s: And when he is restor'd, thou, fairest dame,


s: Shalt be our queen. Now, is it not a shame


s: No tongue shall ask, whence come ye? but ye shall


s: Not even I, for one whole month, will pry


s: A hymning up to Cynthia, queen of light;


s: Good visions in the air,--whence will befal,


s: To shepherds and their flocks; and furthermore,


s: In Dian's face they read the gentle lore:


s: Therefore for her these vesper-carols are.


s: Our friends will all be there from nigh and far.


s: And many, even now, their foreheads shade


s: New singing for our maids shalt thou devise,


s: And pluck the sorrow from our huntsmen's brows.


s: This wayward brother to his rightful joys!


s: His eyes are on thee bent, as thou didst poise


s: His fate most goddess-like. Help me, I pray,


s: What ails thee?" He could bear no more, and so


s: Bent his soul fiercely like a spiritual bow,


s: And twang'd it inwardly, and calmly said:


s: "I would have thee my only friend, sweet maid!


s: That those deceptions which for pleasure go


s: 'Mong men, are pleasures real as real may be:


s: But there are higher ones I may not see,


s: Since I saw thee, I have been wide awake


s: Night after night, and day by day, until


s: A hermit young, I'll live in mossy cave,


s: Where thou alone shalt come to me, and lave


s: Through me the shepherd realm shall prosper well;


s: For to thy tongue will I all health confide.


s: And, for my sake, let this young maid abide


s: This may sound strangely: but when, dearest girl,


s: Thou seest it for my happiness, no pearl


s: Will trespass down those cheeks. Companion fair!


s: Wilt be content to dwell with her, to share


s: This sister's love with me?" Like one resign'd


s: And bent by circumstance, and thereby blind


s: In self-commitment, thus that meek unknown:


s: "Aye, but a buzzing by my ears has flown,


s: Well then, I see there is no little bird,


s: Long have I sought for rest, and, unaware,


s: In that same void white Chastity shall sit,


s: With thy good help, this very night shall see


s: As feels a dreamer what doth most create


s: His own particular fright, so these three felt:


s: Far under-ground, a sleeper meets his friends


s: Towards common thoughts and things for very fear;


s: That housewives talk of. But the spirit-blow


s: Was struck, and all were dreamers. At the last


s: Endymion said: "Are not our fates all cast?


s: Why stand we here? Adieu, ye tender pair!


s: Adieu!" Whereat those maidens, with wild stare,


s: His eyes went after them, until they got


s: Near to a cypress grove, whose deadly maw,


s: In one swift moment, would what then he saw


s: Engulph for ever. "Stay!" he cried, "ah, stay!


s: Turn, damsels! hist! one word I have to say.


s: Sweet Indian, I would see thee once again.


s: Behind great Dian's temple. I'll be yon,


s: At vesper's earliest twinkle--they are gone--


s: But once, once, once again--" At this he press'd


s: His hands against his face, and then did rest


s: All the long day; save when he scantly lifted


s: His eyes abroad, to see how shadows shifted


s: With the slow move of time,--sluggish and weary


s: Until the poplar tops, in journey dreary,


s: Had reach'd the river's brim. Then up he rose,


s: Walk'd towards the temple grove with this lament:


s: "Why such a golden eve? The breeze is sent


s: Careful and soft, that not a leaf may fall


s: Bows down his summer head below the west.


s: Now am I of breath, speech, and speed possest,


s: To her for the last time. Night will strew


s: On the damp grass myriads of lingering leaves,


s: And with them shall I die; nor much it grieves


s: To die, when summer dies on the cold sward.


s: Of flowers, garlands, love-knots, silly posies,


s: Groves, meadows, melodies, and arbour roses;


s: My kingdom's at its death, and just it is


s: That I should die with it: so in all this


s: We miscal grief, bale, sorrow, heartbreak, woe,


s: What is there to plain of? By Titan's foe


s: Tripp'd lightly on, in sort of deathful glee;


s: Laughing at the clear stream and setting sun,


s: As though they jests had been: nor had he done


s: Until that grove appear'd, as if perchance,


s: And then his tongue with sober seemlihed


s: Gave utterance as he entered: "Ha!" I said,


s: "King of the butterflies; but by this gloom,


s: And by old Rhadamanthus' tongue of doom,


s: And the Promethean clay by thief endued,


s: And thus to be cast out, thus lorn to die,


s: On things for which no wording can be found;


s: Deeper and deeper sinking, until drown'd


s: Beyond the reach of music: for the choir


s: Of Cynthia he heard not, though rough briar


s: The vesper hymn, far swollen, soft and full,


s: Through the dark pillars of those sylvan aisles.


s: He saw not the two maidens, nor their smiles,


s: By chilly finger'd spring. "Unhappy wight!


s: What wouldst thou ere we all are laid on bier?"


s: Then he embrac'd her, and his lady's hand


s: Press'd, saying: "Sister, I would have command,


s: If it were heaven's will, on our sad fate."


s: At which that dark-eyed stranger stood elate


s: And said, in a new voice, but sweet as love,


s: And so thou shalt! and by the lily truth


s: Of my own breast thou shalt, beloved youth!"


s: And as she spake, into her face there came


s: Light, as reflected from a silver flame:


s: Her long black hair swell'd ampler, in display


s: Dawn'd blue and full of love. Aye, he beheld


s: Her lucid bow, continuing thus: "Drear, drear


s: Withheld me first; and then decrees of fate;


s: And then 'twas fit that from this mortal state


s: Thou shouldst, my love, by some unlook'd for change


s: These forests, and to thee they safe shall be


s: As was thy cradle; hither shalt thou flee


s: To meet us many a time." Next Cynthia bright


s: Peona kiss'd, and bless'd with fair good night:


s: Her brother kiss'd her too, and knelt adown


s: Before his goddess, in a blissful swoon.


s: She gave her fair hands to him, and behold,


s: Before three swiftest kisses he had told,


s: Home through the gloomy wood in wonderment.


s: "Nestlings" may serve as an album for some innocent faces, and


s: perpetuate some possibly helpful sentiment.


s: CORNELIA                                          Front Cover


s: Within my palm, like roseleaves, dainty, sweet,


s: I fold with tenderest love two little feet--


s: Two little feet, twin flow'rets come to bring


s: To mother's heart the first sweet breath of spring.


s: Wearied with play, at last they lie at rest,


s: One satin sole against its fair mate pressed.


s: Dear little feet, fain would this hand 'ere shield


s: Thy tender flesh from thorns which lie concealed


s: Along the path which, stretching through the years,


s: Leads on to God, through joy and silent tears,


s: Oh, would that I could pluck from thy dear way


s: Whate'er might tempt these little feet to stray,


s: What though my hands be torn by thorn and stone,


s: Thy joy, for all my pain would soon atone;


s: If but thy mother planned thy life for thee,


s: No other path so bright as thine should be.


s: But what am I, that I my love should count


s: Greater than that of Him, who is love's fount--


s: Who sent from heaven, these dainty baby feet


s: To make thy mother's life and love complete?


s: What truer hand than His could mark thy path?


s: What greater love than God, thy Father, hath?


s: What greater wisdom shields thee from all strife?


s: When shadows come, and clouds obscure thy way


s: He knows that darkness only heralds day.


s: If bruised thy flesh, though mother's heart may bleed,


s: He, in His mercy, knows thy greatest need.


s: Then, little feet, though mother's prayers may rise,


s: In love and trust, that never doubt implies


s: That God, thy steps may lead in ways aright,


s: And keep thy soul from sin's unholy blight,


s: I'll leave thy future in His hands alone,


s: And know, at last, He'll bring thee safely home.


s: Two little seeds sank deep in the earth,


s: One from the other--both brown and round,


s: In the mellow depths of the self same ground.


s: Said the first little seed, in a gruesome tone,


s: "Shall just go to sleep, and sleep right on,


s: Close by the side of this round smooth stone.


s: I shall not stir, but I'll sweetly sleep,


s: That here, in the damp of the chilly ground,


s: And it slept right on, though the warm rain fell,


s: And Nature found, when she came to look,


s: The other seed mused--"It cannot be right


s: And soon in this gloom, unused, must die.


s: _I_ shall not sleep--from this narrow shell


s: I shall reach right up, until day by day


s: While the grandest victories Earth e'er knew


s: So out from his shell the wee seed burst,


s: And stretched to the full of its graceful length,


s: While the light and warmth of the Summer sun


s: Added each day to its beauty and strength.


s: Oh, fair are the blossoms it bears for all,


s: And fragrant the breath of its golden bells;


s: From the perfumed depths where the dewdrop dwells.


s: They wake you out of your sluggish sleep--


s: Your strength will waste if it is not used,


s: Can you bring but the empty shell to Him,


s: For a Congress of birds was to meet that day,


s: He plumed his feathers and looked severe,


s: With a desperate look in his round, dark eye;


s: He was the culprit--a thief he had been,


s: The Thrush and the Blackbird had "run him in."


s: He had stolen the nest of the little brown Wren


s: The Hawk was the Judge, and sat in state,


s: But--"Order in Court"--rang close to his ear,


s: Then the Crow began in his deep sub-bass,


s: And his pompous manner to plead the case.


s: He spoke of the prisoner's youth at first,


s: But a murmur of scorn from the audience burst,


s: So he changed his tactics and said: "I hear


s: In fact, I can make it to you quite plain


s: 'Tis folly to make against him complaint."


s: He talked till the Mocking Bird felt secure,


s: Then the Owl rose up, and his blinking eyes,


s: Droll and uncanny, looked wondrous wise:


s: "Tu whit, tu whoo! You will find it vain


s: But there is a prison for all such chaps,


s: The Mocking Bird's record has always been


s: But the family trait to the fellow sticks.


s: Only last week--but you all have heard--


s: How he broke up the home of the Humming Bird.


s: But now we must act. Have I made it clear?"


s: And he loudly read from the law a clause,


s: Then flew to his perch, amid loud applause.


s: The charge to the jury was something fine,


s: They were out but a moment, then entered again,


s: For the verdict "Guilty," rang out clear,


s: Then the Judge rose up, and shaking his head,


s: "Let every bird from yon prisoner's breast,


s: A feather pluck for the Wren's new nest."


s: Scarce had they heard the words pronounced


s: Ere they all in a mob on the culprit pounced,


s: Each plucking a feather, he flew to the glen


s: The Mocking Bird shivered with cold and pain,


s: "Oh! never," he cried, "will I steal again,


s: And I'll try, oh! I'll try to do what is right,


s: Nor ever be found in such a sad plight."


s: The dear, gentle Dove, who had lingered behind,


s: Came close to the prisoner, loving and kind,


s: And she whispered so low, "Come home to my nest;


s: I'll care for you tenderly, give you my best.


s: I know you are sorry, I know you will try,


s: So come, let us home to my warm nest fly."


s: So nursed by the Dove, one fair summer day,


s: He kissed her and blessed her, and then flew away.


s: I'm sure I can't say, as I never have heard.


s: But I know on his record there'll ever remain,


s: Though the act be repented, its dark, ugly stain;


s: And he'll find o'er and o'er such tricks do not pay,


s: For punishment comes, and oft comes to stay.


s: No matter how small is the act that we do,


s: This thing, little children, you'll find always true:


s: That somehow or some way it does come about,


s: The wrong that we do will soon find us out,


s: And we're filled with such sorrow and in such a plight,


s: We see very clearly, "'Tis best to do right."


s: With your soft warm cap and your overcoat,


s: The harsh old fellow will have to look sharp,


s: See how bravely he faces the piercing wind,


s: And the roses bloom on his rounded cheek,


s: Heigh-ho, little man, if you meet the storms,


s: And you'll find on the heights of life, my boy,


s: The sluggards' bulwarks are tumbled down,


s: With courage your armor, and hope for a sword,


s: Not in the parlor with hammer and tacks,


s: Not in the kitchen with sharp little axe,


s: Lies half asleep with a fly on his nose;


s: Nor in the barn do I see his short legs,


s: Climbing the ladder to hunt for the eggs;


s: Nor yet in the meadow where cowslips are yellow,


s: Half hid by the grass, do I see the wee fellow,


s: I am sure he was here but a moment ago--


s: Oh! down in the orchard where apples are green


s: Stuffing his pockets, and hiding from me;


s: Playing me tricks, for he knows full well


s: That his mamma's away, and that I won't tell.


s: The prettiest things I heard them whisper,


s: Nodding their heads in a quaint wise way.


s: And would tell to you their story sweet,


s: I know not; but surely they would not chide me;


s: For the gossiping winds their words repeat.


s: They told how they loved the golden sunshine;


s: How once in the gloom of a strange long night


s: They feared they were lost, until angel fingers


s: Touched them with life, and they found the light.


s: Were caught from the sunlight on cloud and sky;


s: How dewdrops, gems from the crystal fountains,


s: Were showered o'er earth from realms on high.


s: I heard them say, how the cowslips yellow


s: Were bits of the sun, dropped here and there


s: How the lilies pure, with their snow white petals,


s: Were down from the wings of angels fair.


s: And the blue-eyed violets, shy and tender,


s: With breath from the censer of heaven sent,


s: Were bits of the sky, by the summer borrowed,


s: They told how the daisies and buttercups yellow,


s: Marked where the feet of the swift hours trod;


s: How the bolder touches of gorgeous color


s: And touching with blood the swaying poppies,


s: Oh, they told me things that set me thinking,


s: And the love of Christ for his wayward children


s: How even the flowers and grasses know Him,


s: How He loves and cares for their needs alway,


s: That they take no thought for the coming morrow,


s: But live and trust in the bright to-day.


s: And may not we, who are Christ's own Children,


s: Blotting the present with anxious tears,


s: The somber gloom of the distant mountain


s: Reveals no path that our feet may tread,


s: Did the angels scatter with flowers, the path


s: Or, did you fly from the realms of love?


s: The angels were loth to leave you, my child,


s: Oh, they need not doubt that your mother's heart


s: And though I may lack of their wisdom my pet,


s: My darling, I fain would shelter you here,


s: For my heart shrinks back from the terrors of life


s: If only Christ gave me the power, my boy,


s: I'd pluck every thorn from your path in life


s: And the selfish love of your mother, boy,


s: So I'll send back the tears of a mother's love,


s: And push you with tender, trembling hands


s: I'll know that your Heavenly Father's love


s: And that sometime, after life's battle is o'er


s: I shall meet you, my baby, to part never more,


s: A family of Fairies lived under the ground,


s: And search as they might no place co'd be found,


s: Where a home they could make, a snug little nest,


s: A refuge from harm when by foes they were pressed.


s: Day in, and day out they skurried about,


s: Putting fish worms, and beetles, and such like to rout.


s: At length one, the most energetic of all,


s: Found something quite large and round like a ball,


s: They soon in the wonder an opening made.


s: And what do you think they found it to be?


s: A turnip so large it might have been three.


s: So they hollowed it out as fast as they could,


s: Not pausing a moment for rest or for food.


s: A part of the contents they hurled from the door,


s: And trampled the rest to thicken the floor,


s: And ere through the holes the sun 'gan to peep,


s: The turnip was empty, the Fairies asleep.


s: The gardener on passing his turnip bed saw,


s: 'Midst the flourishing green a queer looking flaw:


s: "Why, how can this be? I'm sure yester-e'en,


s: That turnip, as any, was thrifty and green.


s: There may be a grub at its root, or perhaps,


s: A bug at its top, they are meddlesome chaps;


s: I'll wait until morning, the heat of the sun


s: May have proven too much for a delicate one."


s: In the meantime the Fairies waked up by his words,


s: Laughed and chuckled together as happy as birds.


s: "Before he comes round, we'll have finished and done,


s: And he'll find that his turnip is not worth a bun.


s: He will leave it and we will hold revelry high,


s: For that some may have life, why, something must die."


s: So they cut a small hole through the top, for a door,


s: The tiniest roots from the outside they tore,


s: And made them a ladder, so firm and so fair


s: It answered their purpose and served as a stair.


s: A cabbage leaf carpet, a bedstead so neat


s: They made in a minute, just out of a beet,


s: A table and chairs were made out of roots,


s: Lace curtains of spider webs, hung o'er the doors,


s: And bumble bee skins were the rugs on the floors,


s: Their dishes were all from the button weed made,


s: Their knives and their forks from the tiny grass blade,


s: Corn silk for their cushions, thistledown for a bed,


s: "Our home will be royal," they boastingly said.


s: They caught a black cricket and hollowed him out,


s: For a crib the sweet baby must have, without doubt,


s: And the cricket, his life, ought gladly to give,


s: For "something must die, that others may live."


s: But why should I tell you the wonderful way


s: They furnished and finished their house the next day?


s: They sent invitations to their four hundred friends--


s: "At Home--after sunset until the night ends."


s: But plans that are made for ends of our own,


s: May steal our sweet plums and leave us the stone.


s: Next day as the gardener walked down through the rows


s: Pressing down the soft earth here and there with his toes,


s: He found that the turnip looked worse than before--


s: And grimly he smiled, for he saw the top door,


s: That the Fairies forgot in their hurry last night


s: To close with the curtains, and fasten down tight,


s: So stooping, he gathered the leaves dry and dead,


s: Gave a vigorous pull, and away o'er his head


s: He sent it a-flying--Poor Fairies, good-bye--


s: "That something may live, you know, something must die."


s: Standing to-night beside their little bed,


s: I look half sadly down upon my treasures there,


s: My boys, so full of innocence and grace,


s: My little lambs, safe folded for the night,


s: The sturdy lad's soft cheek close pressed


s: Against his baby brother's, soft and fair;


s: The smile is still upon the boy's red mouth.


s: The curls of brown, the shining rings of gold,


s: Sigh that so much of innocence and grace


s: So soon must leave a mother's tender care--


s: So soon the hurrying years crowd on apace,


s: And bring to each of toil and pain his share.


s: To-day, when poisoned breath from lips profane,


s: Blown harshly from the busy street below,


s: Quick to my side the lad, his cheeks aglow,


s: His hazel eyes with wonder wide met mine;


s: I could not speak--I stooped and kissed his hand.


s: The shadow passed, my heart leaped up in joy--


s: The words--the sin--he did not understand.


s: But ere the cloud had left his childish face


s: They'll leave the shelter of the fold some day.


s: Strong-willed, strong-hearted, loving boys--


s: Oh, may my fingers touch the keys aright!


s: I ask of Heaven than this no greater boon;


s: No greater boon than wisdom from on high


s: To strengthen them against the snares of sin;


s: To teach them how to live and how to die,


s: To hear their Master bid them "Enter in!"


s: So, with my good-night kiss upon your lips


s: I'll banish all the shadows from my heart,


s: And know He'll send His blessed sunshine in,


s: Two ways stretch out, one, narrow and straight;


s: Are the Heavens fair, and down at my feet


s: The sun-flecked slopes and the open gate


s: But the narrow way, though rough and steep,


s: From the lowly earth, to the sunlit skies.


s: Though rough and steep, and with danger fraught,


s: Though the glorious heights with my life be bought--


s: I'll turn from the broad road leading down,


s: And seek the heights and the laurel crown.


s: From the blood-stained prints of my thorn-pierced feet,


s: Spring wonderful flowers, whose fragrance sweet,


s: The storm cloud's gloom, where the lightnings play,


s: But give me strength for each new emprise,


s: On the tempting slopes of the downward way,


s: But must follow the path, by good men trod,


s: Dear little cherub, from isles of the blest,


s: What is your destiny? What is your quest?


s: Have you been watching us with your bright eyes


s: Till you thought you would come as a cunning surprise?


s: Did you see that this house lacked a baby so sweet


s: To widen the circle and make it complete?


s: Did you see from your perch in the realms up above


s: The sweet mother-heart overflowing with love?


s: You thought it so precious, you flew to her breast,


s: You sought it and found it, and found, too, your rest--


s: Your refuge from sorrow; your fortress so strong,


s: May you rest in it, dwell in it, cherish it long.


s: You are welcome as dewdrops when parched are the flowers;


s: You will brighten the days till they shrink into hours.


s: May heaven watch over you, fill you with joy,


s: And bless the whole circle, in you, little boy.


s: Three little kittens, black, white and gray,


s: Went out in the garden one morning to play.


s: Said the white one, "I want to play hide and go seek,


s: 'Tis long since we played it, much more than a week."


s: "All right," said the gray, "I'm ready for fun,"


s: And he started away with a hop and a run.


s: "Just wait," said the black with an ominous growl,


s: His face wrinkled up in the crookedest scowl.


s: "It's an old-fashioned game--I shan't play at that,


s: I'll sport with the leaves or I'll play in the sun,


s: But it's tiresome, unpleasant and foolish to run."


s: The others agreed in a good-natured way,


s: And the three little kittens began then to play;


s: The dead leaves went flying to right and to left,


s: All three, for a time seemed of senses bereft;


s: But something went wrong--"I say that's not fair,"


s: The black kitten cried--"and to play I don't care"--


s: The gray and the white coaxed him hard for awhile,


s: But nothing would cause him to speak or to smile,


s: So they left him alone and hied them away--


s: "Hide and seek" 'mongst the roses and lilacs to play.


s: He heard their gay laughter and sullener grew--


s: The sun was too hot--the skies were too blue,


s: The grass, he was certain, was damp where he lay,


s: All things had conspired to annoy him that day,


s: He could bear neither sunshine, the mirth that he heard,


s: The hum of the bees, nor the chirp of a bird.


s: How silly they seemed--it made him so cross--


s: The pleasures of life were nothing but dross,


s: So he hastened away in a fit of despair;


s: All things were against him and "nothing was fair."


s: And now, little people, does any one know


s: A child who is cross, and always acts so?


s: Who cries with a pout--"I say I shan't play,


s: Unless you do everything just as I say."


s: If beaten at games, he says "It's not fair"--


s: And takes of good things far more than his share.


s: If you know such a child, I'm sure you will find


s: He is sour and unhappy, because he's unkind;


s: To be happy, be gentle, good tempered and sweet


s: To playmates and elders and all whom you meet.


s: Scarcely lost to the foot's soft imprint,


s: Nevermore, will I feel the soft pressure


s: Will it heal the mad longing to fold him


s: Your words are well meant, I can feel it,


s: But the wound is too deep and too fresh,


s: Do not try, while my poor heart is breaking


s: For I'm chilled by the breath of the angel


s: Let me weep as I will, and the teardrops


s: The shadows that hide in their garments,


s: And he'll shelter my lamb in his breast,


s: You've been naughty the whole day through;


s: You spoiled your white dress in the gutter,


s: A pert brown Thrush on a bough o'er head


s: Fluttered his wings and carolled his song.


s: The breakfast was over, and everything cold;


s: And Bridget did nothing at all but scold.


s: Long ere the light, the Thrush had been out,


s: Catching his breakfast as best he could;


s: Working and singing with right good will--


s: Had hurriedly dressed and forgotten to pray;


s: The bird sang on and she heard his song,


s: And the wonderful things he seemed to say.


s: The stars slipped out of the purple night,


s: Could catch the thread of their faint pure light.


s: I bathed in the brook that sings near by,


s: And borne on the breath of the opening day,


s: For I know though the winds blow cold and chill,


s: The bird had flown, but the lesson stayed,


s: For bright, or dark is this life of ours,


s: With naughty deeds come the chilling showers


s: While the skies of the good are bright and clear.


s: She came like a bird, and the low-hung skies


s: With the muttered threats of their tempest cloud,


s: That had covered my life with its dismal shroud


s: Vanished like dew, when the new day springs


s: From her rosy couch, and unfolds her wings.


s: From the mist hung dawn to the purple night,


s: She hovered so near I could almost reach--


s: My trembling heart was o'erfull for speech,


s: When joy! oh! joy, on my throbbing breast


s: She folded her wings for a moment to rest,


s: For a moment the gates of pearl were ajar


s: All earth was alight with the radiant star,


s: On that wonderful night of the long ago.


s: But I recked for naught of the glowing skies,


s: While the lovelight shone from her starry eyes;


s: But my beautiful song bird, blithe and free


s: With her plumage white was too fair for me,


s: Adown through the shining gates there came


s: I had felt the thrill that her presence brought,


s: I had learned the lesson her love had taught,


s: She came, and my life was a garden fair,


s: She fled, and that life was a desert bare,


s: But my beautiful bird I will find once more


s: When I wing my flight to the far off shore,


s: And Heaven, Ah! Heaven will be so bright


s: When I find my bird with her plumage white,


s: When I look once more in her starry eyes,


s: Since I left Oxford one change has taken place in its educational


s: subject; and so I fear you may have to-day to lament the truth of


s: Again, our formula may be accused of cutting poetry away from its


s: statements like these meet us everywhere in current criticism of


s: tendency? Well, but the very same tendency vitiates much of our


s: Again, it is surely true that we cannot determine beforehand what


s: 'Bring forth the horse!' The horse was brought:


s: 'Bring forth the steed!' The steed was brought:


s: To be or not to be, that is the question.


s: Tendebantque manus ripae ulterioris amore,


s: Our noisy years seem moments in the being


s: social--distinctly before him, and then, as we say, clothed it in


s: Not that to Schiller 'form' meant mere style and versification.


s: Rura mihi et rigui placeant in vallibus amnes


s: Sistat, et ingenti ramorum protegat umbra!


s: I am fully aware of the fact that the present volume is but an


s: himself to please as well as his public, and it has been to me a


s: It was the time of year when cockneys fly


s: From town to country, and from there to town.


s: I would not swear it was, nor bet a crown,


s: When, as I told you, cockneys hurry down


s: Bright with the thoughts of coming holiday,


s: Full well determined to enjoy it while they may.


s: They were the days when all who care to wander


s: O'er the rude mountain or the fertile plain,


s: Must snatch the chance, and rush here, there and yonder,


s: And pack their baggage off by early train,


s: What everybody does that I must also do.


s: The sun was scorching, and the streets were dusty,--


s: And everything seemed disagreeably "fusty,"


s: Merely because there was no watering car.


s: Old dames complained of aches unknown before,


s: Unused to battle with such dreadful heat,


s: Such truly fearful spasms, and such blistered feet.


s: The 'buses went by clockwork by the appearance;


s: The weary horse dragged listlessly along,


s: In the sleepy trilling of the songster's song,


s: Which to the small suburban gardens did belong.


s: Smites the ear feebly at the noon of day,


s: Join in the jangle of the grocery vendor,


s: And butcher boys have lots and lots to say


s: To fair domestics, who their hearts surrender


s: To, if not a butcher boy, a kettle mender.


s: Your kind attention, reader, to a square


s: With flight of steps and massive portico,


s: Where dwelt three daughters infinitely fair;


s: Their age of course I'm not _supposed_ to know,


s: 'Twas very rude I own to raise the question so.


s: Their years, their fortune, and the gods know what;


s: To hear if each or all had found a lover,


s: And since you'll have it so, the truth I will not hide.


s: You know most ladies have some slight objection,


s: Some strange objection which they always raise,


s: And arm themselves as if for the protection


s: Of the sweet sanctum of their earlier days,


s: Toward those who flatteringly speak their praise


s: And ask in special confidence their years,


s: Who pass the time in fifty pleasant ways


s: And designate them "charms" and "pretty dears,"


s: Beset with all those unimaginable fears!


s: At least so all the neighbours' gossip said,


s: And they, of course, were all who really knew;


s: Of medium height, and lovely spinsters too,


s: Charmingly gentle as they well could be,


s: With accomplishments and graces not a few,


s: Were the idols of their precious little eyes;


s: And it was whispered that there was a chance


s: With Fate auspicious, of a great surprise


s: At some approaching day; 'tis never wise


s: To form conjectures or to fret and worry,


s: To count your gains before Aunt Some-one dies,


s: E'en though possessed of half the land in Surrey,


s: Or draw your own conclusions in too great a hurry.


s: All information, as perchance, you know,


s: Is second hand; I write as folks dictate;


s: Th' extent of some-one's personal estate;


s: He in his turn the same again will prate;


s: 'Tis now affirmed he took away her life,


s: In the next terrace where th' appalling tale is rife.


s: 'Tis sometimes so, for other people's business


s: Wise men and women oft forsake their own,


s: Which may perhaps account for their remissness,


s: From mouth to mouth, the truth in some disguise,


s: A trifling circumstance we find has grown


s: And thunder-struck believers stare in mute surprise.


s: But, sad to say, our friends were looking pale,


s: Our female friends, at least, I mean to say,


s: It was not often that they looked that way.


s: Had made them faint, as often is the case:


s: The cause in feminines is often hard to trace.


s: But still, methinks, it was the want of change


s: That blanched the buxom beauty of their cheeks,


s: The want of some secluded, pleasant grange


s: Away from town, for twelve or thirteen weeks,


s: The hilarity of right down country freaks


s: And rambles in the meadows bright and green,


s: And velvet-like ascents with verdant vales between.


s: 'Twas evident the fair ones thought so too,


s: So 'twas arranged, when they could choose the hour,


s: And use the utmost of persuasive "flour,"


s: For all such daughters have this undefinéd power.


s: 'Twould be as well perhaps to mention here


s: A fact you all no doubt are sure to know,


s: The precision of your kindness and attention,


s: Snatch the right time (a glance may serve to show


s: Domestic trials are too numerous to mention).


s: It may be p'raps a trifling _mauvaise humeur_,


s: Or it, perchance, may be a downright "fumer,"


s: And judging from the countenance he wears


s: He may be vexed with sundry business cares,


s: In which the happy household never shares,


s: At least till matters have regained their even state.


s: The morn which followed this determination


s: Was just such as our damsels did desire,


s: Now all the world was out for its vacation,


s: All seemed to rise with spirits somewhat higher


s: Which were at most times jocular and gay,


s: And all agreed that they should seize their sire


s: To coax him gently round to let them have their way.


s: And wool-knit slippers, comfortable and pretty,


s: To the radiant breakfast table trotted down,


s: Inclined to have some frolic and be witty


s: And chaff his daughters in his usual style;


s: For to relate 'twould not be worth the while,


s: I therefore must, my reader, meet you with denial.


s: The window,--French they called it, I'm not sure


s: Not quite a window, but more like a door,


s: 'Twould do for both, whichever one they mean,--


s: Displayed, in fact, a most enchanting scene


s: To those who were at all that way inclined,


s: With such artistic taste was it indeed designed.


s: Then with the arbour's rustic-like assistance,


s: The various colours melting in the distance


s: Lent quite a pleasing aspect to the eye,


s: And perhaps produced the very faintest sigh


s: For such-like beauties on a larger scale,


s: Where sweeping meadows meet the azure sky,


s: And florid milk-maids bear their bounteous pail,


s: And breezes waft the sound of winnow and of flail.


s: 'Twas here papa did often love to wander,


s: First in the shade, now in the pleasant sun,


s: And peep at this and that, and hurry yonder,


s: He strolled to-day, a regular _Big Gun_,


s: Around the precincts of his bright domain,


s: His egg and toast dispatched. (Forgive the pun,


s: Frivolities like these oft run across the grain.)


s: Recovered? Yes?--So glad! Three daughters knitting,


s: Like three white butterflies upon the breeze


s: With evidently some design, came skipping


s: Round by the arbour in amongst the trees,


s: And if the truth were really known, to seize


s: 'Tis wonderful how daughters coax and tease


s: At such auspicious times; I have no doubt


s: They stroked his handsome whiskers with a pretty pout.


s: I really think it's something quite excessive,


s: Much worse, in fact, than it was yesterday;


s: It quite upsets me;--no, I'm not in play,


s: Indeed I've been quite indisposed of late,


s: And vexed with ailments many and many a day,


s: With troublesome _ennui_ and _mal-à-tête_,


s: The Doctor thinks my nerves are in a wretched state!"


s: _(No. 2 Daughter.)_ "Indeed 'tis so my dearest dear Papa,


s: 'Tis hotter than last summer was by far,


s: Much hotter than last June it could not be,


s: And that's what I think, what do you think, pet?


s: With nought to do but tamely sit and knit,


s: In fact I never liked such quietness a bit!"


s: _(No. 3 Daughter.)_ "'Tis my impression that we ought to go


s: Just think how very nice 'twould be for you;


s: I'm sure you must be wanting something new,


s: You seem quite tired out sometimes--'tis true,


s: To Hastings or to Deal, and we could all come down.


s: Such bright enjoyment you can ne'er forbid:


s: 'Twould do you good besides in getting rid


s: Here to her father's side his daughter glid,


s: And kissed his cheek (what girls like from the boys)


s: Just as a baby loves to fondle all its toys.


s: Papa looked grave but didn't say he couldn't


s: But simply said he saw not why they shouldn't,


s: Then seemed a little pleased at the idea;


s: And to his fav'rite girl said, "Well, my dear,


s: We will discuss this subject at our leisure,


s: Of business to attend to: duty first, then pleasure."


s: They kissed him fondly, all of them, and flew


s: Straightway indoors to talk the matter o'er,


s: They all were anxious Ma should know it too,


s: Who liked the thought of merriment in store,


s: While all were thinking of the happy day,


s: Talking of all their wants e'er they should start away.


s: And now of course there was incessant chat


s: Concerning what to take and where to go,


s: 'Twas well to balance matters thus you know


s: To purchase and have ostrich-plumes revived,


s: Of ornaments like these they could not be deprived.


s: One said that Yarmouth was _the_ place, she knew;


s: Another sneered at such a daft suggestion,


s: For _that_ above _all_ places she did hate


s: And Torquay was the best there was no question:


s: But listeners evidently wanted good digestion.


s: "And," quoth the eldest, "there's Llandudno also."


s: "Why," quoth another, "have you got no sense?"


s: Mamma, requesting that they shouldn't bawl so,


s: Pronounced this far too utterly intense.


s: Bespoke the Gulf Stream and the balmy air;


s: Whereon the mater, taking great offence,


s: Declared she wouldn't _think_ of going _there_--


s: She'd sooner go to Seven Dials, or anywhere.


s: After which outburst, sweeping through the door,


s: A flood of tears gushed freely from her eyes,


s: And, stretched upon the _canapé_, she swore


s: That she was far too indisposed to rise,


s: Though afterwards she did, with many sighs--


s: A smelling-bottle and some small assistance;


s: Grieved that her daughter to her very eyes


s: Should offer her such resolute resistance.


s: From then she essayed to keep the subject at a distance.


s: However, after some few days had passed,


s: With their disputes and matters of vexation,


s: Without much further tedious altercation;


s: When each one deemed it her own commendation


s: That set the point so thoroughly at rest,


s: The course she had adopted was the best;


s: A course, perhaps, my reader never would have guessed.


s: Ah! would you like to hear? then I will tell.


s: They had arranged to take a country seat;


s: Perhaps the choice was happy--very well,


s: They chose a pretty house and farm complete,


s: Such as where solitude and pleasure meet,


s: With everything that comfort could devise,


s: Old-fashioned, though of most convenient size;


s: For such as this precisely did they advertise.


s: They did not call it as folks love to do,


s: And leafless acres, though perhaps a few


s: Where a solitary sunbeam might have strayed,


s: And all the gloomy atmosphere is fraught


s: With all that's dank and filthy of the human sort.


s: Retreats suburban please the public eye;


s: But occupants their villa homes disguise


s: And strive to imitate the great and high


s: By striking names and such-like mimicry;


s: They choose them mainly for a good address,


s: And with a smile we mark its rottenness.


s: This evil's very prevalent you must confess.


s: Such homes are now designed for outward show,


s: But 'tis a theme of no immediate interest.


s: To give one's dwelling some fantastic name


s: To more gentility than others; 'tis the same


s: (Flighty mammas, perhaps, are more to blame)


s: To call their homes "The Beeches" or "The Grange,"


s: For probably they think 'twill be a little change.


s: I don't condemn such names upon the gates


s: Where the powdered footman silently awaits


s: My lord's commands and wishes, till he sees


s: Who sternly checks the smile that he would hide,


s: And reverently bows with straightened knees


s: When perhaps his lord is pleased to coincide,


s: And waits for the dismissal from his master's side.


s: Where stately griffins guard by day and night


s: The pillared pomp of birth and fortune, whence


s: Reel peals of laughter, where the gasp for might


s: Palls on the throne of vast magnificence;


s: Where halls superbly mirrored, every sense,


s: And every wish, all hope, each separate sigh,


s: Are planned to please, are reared to gratify,


s: While balmy perfumes float o'er th' marble masonry.


s: Submissive reader, to whom thanks are due


s: For having borne with my caprice so long,


s: And your forbearance, I hope, you will renew


s: I'll do my best to entertain you all along.


s: The house of which I spoke to you before


s: Was Elleston Farm, nursed in a lovely vale,


s: On the blue wave, the wand'rer's eye would hail,


s: And the cool breeze from off the glist'ring sea,


s: Would bring soft reminiscence in its trail


s: Of scenes long past, of childhood's jollity,


s: Across its walls each black yet mossy beam


s: Gave it the look of years and years untold;


s: And, with its jutting windows, we should deem


s: Such as, with th' ruddy sunlight's western gleam


s: Upon the small-paned casement, and the rose


s: Above the portal, would dispel all worldly woes.


s: The chestnut team, the mill pond and the quack


s: Of ducklings discontented with their lot,


s: The grunt of pigs itin'rant, and the stack--


s: There might be seen upon the labourer's cot


s: The blooming jess'mine loading all the air


s: With fragrant perfume; and the garden plot


s: Bestowed upon it, of delight gave its full share.


s: The meadows, bright with buttercups and hues


s: Rolled their ripe richness, and the sweeping views,


s: Tinged with the orange of the sinking sun,


s: Such scenes are sweet when even has begun,


s: And rooks are idly cawing, and the day is done.


s: O God, teach us to feel what joys are these!


s: How dear these pleasures momently renewed!


s: In speechless praise, in silent gratitude;


s: These are the hours, O Lord of Solitude,


s: When hearts in love must upward turn to Thee,


s: And all that's peaceful; when tranquillity


s: Steals softly o'er the bosom and lulls its rolling sea.


s: Such scenes are dear, for they have pow'r to allay


s: Fears of the fearful, troubles of the tried,


s: To smooth each anxious pain, all griefs, away,


s: That ceaseless in the human heart abide,


s: Have power to soothe, to cast cold care aside;


s: Th' insatiate longings of the soul subside,


s: And curb the stormy passions of the great,


s: Make earth a heaven, and holiness preponderate.


s: What is Ambition? what is Pride? and this


s: That boils the blood and parches all the frame;


s: That stirs the breast to ecstasies? What bliss,


s: But what of these! to me 'tis all the same


s: What, what to me is Glory? what is Fame?


s: I want no marble bust, I ask no graven stone!


s: Like some few others that I used to know;


s: The truth is, I was taught to be at school,


s: 'Twill tell my readers what respect I owe,


s: Who should have been exhibited in a cattle-pen.


s: I wish them well, of course, but must proceed.


s: Which doubtless _she_ thought very nice indeed.


s: Wore bright kid gloves (the colour undefined),


s: Like wealthy folks, as servants always do;


s: And terrible mistakes sometimes embarrass you.


s: The morn was brilliant and the packing done,


s: And all were in the very liveliest mood,


s: Although, of course, there was no time for fun,


s: The first cabdriver must have been endued


s: With strength, for this occasion, from above


s: With cooky, smiling on her, charming little dove!


s: He quite forgot (although perhaps you doubt it),


s: With love for cook, what he'd to sup'rintend;


s: They had two cabs, that's all I know about it,


s: And, Gracious knows, their luggage had no end.


s: To find th' remotest corner of the earth,


s: Still of frivolities like these there is no dearth.


s: Then servants, two, Pa, Ma, and daughters three,


s: All drove in madcap hurry to the station,


s: Had they remembered the superb quotation;


s: But Julia (housemaid) made some lamentation


s: About some best back hair she'd left behind,


s: But all was done to soothe her perturbation


s: This nat'rally destroyed her usual peace of mind.


s: They had arrived, and all was, out and in,


s: The views themselves were highly int'resting,


s: As well as all the creatures of the fold


s: With which they all were pleased, so I am told,


s: Which was a comfort for their cherished pater,


s: Who was just then quite worth his weight in gold,


s: His bed-room full of bank notes; from these data


s: I must defer the calculations until later.


s: They laughed and chatted and explored the house,


s: Of massy polished stairs, and saw a mouse,


s: P'raps three or four appalled their wond'ring sight;


s: But each new comfort gave them fresh delight,


s: And as they peeped through each dark-curtained door


s: All seemed so perfectly compact and bright,


s: Indeed they seemed to like it more and more,


s: For they had never entered such a house before.


s: And all the drap'ry was of sombre shade,


s: And diamond casements, I before have said,


s: Looked on a lawn, in richest green arrayed,


s: Where king-cups blossom'd in the silent glade,


s: And all the flow'rets of the forest grew,


s: And pearly streams were tinged with their reflected hue.


s: Upstairs the rooms were hung with glacé chintz


s: (So like the good old farm-house of past days),


s: And pleased at once the weary stranger's gaze;


s: The doors themselves were covered with green baize


s: Hidden with crimson curtains, and each bed


s: Was draped in style that claimed the greatest praise


s: In charming sky-blue intermixed with red,


s: With pockets of unique design above the head.


s: They fed the pigs with biscuits, and the fowls


s: Were soon quite reconciled to their new friends,


s: And the great shepherd-dog's uncivil growls


s: Had quite subsided and, instead, he sends


s: His kind regards for various means and ends;


s: And I expect, if th' real truth were known,


s: To use civility in this way some are prone.


s: Sometimes, like others do, they drove about


s: With a _recherché_ little chaise and pair,


s: In pretty spots now here and sometimes there;


s: Arrange these matters sweetly, for they suit


s: The choice of flowers, the arrangement of the fruit,


s: And digging ferns up without injuring the root.


s: They loved to play at croquet on the lawn,


s: Or bend their steps upon the summer morn


s: To wander o'er the shining, yellow sands,


s: Quiet and lone, and watch the snowy spray;


s: And take the curious seaweeds in their hands,


s: Then homeward turn obedient to Papa's commands.


s: Yes, those were jolly days; and now the fields


s: With happy haymakers were scattered o'er,


s: And Papa went to know their different yields


s: Through quite a hundred acres, if not more,


s: And all his daughters had some first-rate fun


s: (They always had some merriment in store)


s: And often had a romp beneath the baking sun.


s: In fact it gave them something nice to do,


s: Meanwhile they liked some light confabulation,


s: Making arrangements for their bright vacation,


s: And plans far too entangled, I'm afraid,


s: 'Twould take from now till doomsday, so it's best unsaid.


s: They'd had a call or two from neighbours near


s: That they should ask three gentlemen to tea


s: Out in the hayfield, where they would be free,


s: To help in tossing o'er the scented hay;


s: And chatter anything they'd like to say,


s: While Julia handed round refreshment on a tray.


s: Penned with Mamma's gold pen and sealed with care,


s: That they would be most happy to be there;


s: They were the nicest folks beneath the sun,


s: To hear the happy thing that they had done,


s: And longed to see arrangements instantly begun.


s: The daughters three received exact directions


s: And all about the "skirts" they had to wear,


s: How they should dress and e'en adorn their hair,


s: What rings to show, whether diamond or not;


s: Injunctions to observe the greatest care


s: In choice of stockings, and I don't know what.


s: (They were to be like fairies in Calypso's grot.)


s: Of daughters all they were the most adored


s: Of all he had: of course you know the rest,


s: But they should make acquaintance with the best,


s: For think what claims they had of pedigree!


s: (Misfortune always lends a grace to dignity.)


s: They were to see the maid decant the wines,


s: They were to give the gentlemen their dues,


s: They were to be _distinguées_ to the nines,


s: They were, in short, to mind their p's and q's.


s: 'Twere better far, if e'en they fail'd t' amuse,


s: No matter when or where, at _any_ festival.


s: In fact, 'twas this my reader, as you see,


s: For one high-born like her all _must_ be right;


s: And therefore quite expected to her sight


s: None would present himself, unless the height


s: One of the noblest from Thanet's Isle to Solway Firth.


s: But she had seen her fifty years of life,


s: So her young days for ever had swept by,


s: She looked and for them breathed a lingering sigh,


s: To tell the truth, my reader, I don't blame 'em


s: For thinking hardly of the marriage tie,


s: Most men's delight is not to love but tame 'em,


s: I know a score but 'twouldn't do to name 'em.


s: No doubt she'd danced with all the proud and high


s: And revelled in the pomp of this vain earth,


s: The one is worth, the other--want of worth,


s: Oh gaze not on the gloom its dazzling tinsels hide!


s: With prancing steeds thro' all the whirling west


s: Of mighty London, under Fashion's smile,


s: (Tho' redundant pleasures even can molest)


s: And feel one's happy self supremely blest,


s: And bowed to by a "humble flunkey flat,"


s: With endless formal courtesies oppressed;


s: And mix with all the great, the honoured of the state.


s: Roll to the theatre, too. Upon the board


s: Till, like one man, ten thousand hands applaud,


s: Look! ere the actor has before the curtain passed.


s: Turn on the lights! Let the besweated crowds


s: Shriek as the music swells, now high, now low


s: For all to-morrow slumber in their shrouds


s: Who drained excitement's cup an hour ago!


s: Watch flitting beauty, nymph-like, come and go,


s: Fan the scorched cheek and quaff the bright champagne,


s: Around the circles see the diamond-glow,


s: Revel in laughter, think no more of pain!


s: See! see! the blind ascends and all begins again!


s: Put up the opera-glass and scan the stage,


s: Transformed to youth, a lovely columbine!


s: While th' gorgeous tapestries of rare design


s: Like glist'ring starlight, opal, pearl, and gold,


s: Mirrors reflecting mirrors, countless and untold!


s: But some folks always spend the night in gaming,


s: (But we, of course, are not immaculate),


s: And rolling homewards with unsteady gait


s: (Perhaps 'twas after the red-hot gyration


s: Of the previous evening). Ours is a sad nation!


s: The breakfast lies untasted, for the tea


s: As accompanies the dice and play-room) we


s: Are very fond of (for we take too much),


s: And therefore home supplies we cannot touch;


s: A wretched plight; indeed we're not A 1.


s: We think we have remaining money but have none.


s: But 'tis too bad I know;--again I've erred


s: I'm sorry that it should have thus occurred,


s: I know, and you know too, that I am frail


s: To some of you on p'raps a different scale,


s: It is quite marvellous what some can bustle through!


s: The day arrived; the sun was shining brightly


s: The rooms were swept and all that was unsightly


s: And then the edibles, both many and good,


s: (The nearest way was through the primrose-wood)


s: And then turned homeward with a merry trot,


s: And waited for the time t' arrive; and who would not?


s: A vase of clotted cream, two pigeon pies,


s: Some cakes of every sort, a breast of lamb,


s: Eggs, bread and butter, as you would surmise,


s: A calf's head, too, of an enormous size,


s: Ripe strawberries and currants red they laid


s: On fresh green leaves (so nice to hungry eyes),


s: Besides some other delicacies they had made.


s: They, too, supplied some cans of country beer


s: For the lab'ring men, and half-a-crown apiece


s: For them to have some downright merry cheer;


s: The question was--where did their bounty cease?


s: So fast their acts of kindness did increase,


s: So welcome were they to the neighb'ring poor


s: To whom their homely smile was joy and peace,


s: Some small addition to their little cupboard store.


s: I picture, as I write, the little scene:


s: The dwelling clustered o'er with roses white,


s: The parlour with its ruby bricks so clean,


s: With him whose life-long day is so serene,


s: Whose eve knows no lament, whose morn no blight,


s: Whose every hour is tranquil in between,


s: Whose hopes are ever fair, whose joys are ever green.


s: But other bards are present, let them sing


s: Of such as these; each condescending Muse


s: Shall teach her fondling how t' awake each string,


s: And tinge each mouthful with ambrosial hues,


s: And keep him very well in boots and shoes.


s: _Here_ some dwarfed harmless poetaster rhymes


s: Whose very name gives list'ning fools the "blues,"


s: Which must not be, of course, in these prolific times.


s: There's Francis Palgrave, there's Rosetti too;


s: Trill on, ye two, the song of future years,


s: Move, Palgrave, move, with bosom rent anew,


s: Scratch on with quill unwearied and no fears,


s: The world shall fling thee thy resplendent bays,


s: His barque upon the river of thy praise.


s: The stars themselves shall pause to listen to thy lays.


s: Up to the gate, and Julia showed them in,


s: Dressed in her best (a sickly-looking mauve);


s: Which Mistress too was far from favouring,


s: And it was clear a "lecture" was in store,


s: Most of us know what that means; for some sin


s: I'm never naughty now; _that_ was in days of yore.


s: Full twelve or fifteen minutes had expired,


s: And they, poor chaps, were doubtless very tired,


s: Quite tired enough, before it had begun.


s: (Just think of all that distance in the sun!)


s: As usual, everlasting "hows" and "whens,"


s: And kind inquiries mixed with pretty fun


s: Were passed from mouth to mouth, which always tends


s: To show how much our joy on others' joy depends (?).


s: One of our friends, the tallest of the three


s: I think it was, but cannot quite decide,


s: I only wish that he'd exchanged with me;


s: Such depth of eye and such a princely frown!


s: I wish, my friends, that you'd been there to see


s: His small white hands and his moustache of brown,


s: Indeed 'twas worth a journey all the way from town.


s: What style of face is sweetest to behold,


s: At least I can't discover such felicity.


s: Down to the hayfield numerous forks were sent,


s: The ladies took the lighter ones to use,


s: When a mischance occurred, picked up the forks,


s: And helped t' unload and pull out all the corks


s: Upon the grass the damask cloth was laid,


s: Spread, as I said it would be, in the shade,


s: (Coffee for those who coffee did prefer),


s: Than her sweet smile nought could have been much prettier.


s: Much care and labour too they did expend,


s: Determined that their visitors should spend


s: Considering all things, its success was not so bad.


s: "Now _do_ try this" he pressingly would say,


s: To pass your plate and let him have his way;


s: Indeed he scorned the very thought of "Nay;"


s: The ladies, though they chatted gaily, thought


s: Of lots and lots of things they'd like to say,


s: But couldn't then, you know, for they'd been taught


s: At such a time to smother feelings of the sort.


s: Pop went the corks, the ladies screamed with fear


s: And put their handkerchiefs before their face,


s: Then stuffed their ears so full they couldn't hear


s: Begging that to some farther distant place


s: The bottles should be pointed; then, alas!


s: When each had managed to upset her glass


s: On the corks banging, like a timid little (l)ass.


s: The ladies then, with one consent, declared


s: That angels with them could not be compared;


s: The "charms" indulged in various little chaff


s: And gave the gentlemen some dreadful "whacks,"


s: I do not mean with their Papa's old staff


s: But with their little hands, across their backs,


s: Observing they deserved quite twice as many smacks.


s: Rowland, our handsome friend, pronounced the pies


s: And Gilbert loved the currants, he confessed;


s: In short, the gathering was the loveliest


s: Of all the gatherings they had ever known,


s: And each, of course, was proud to be a guest;


s: The ladies sighed how fast the time had flown;


s: That they were sorry everybody there did own.


s: The labourers came to take some little cheer;


s: They doffed their hats and shouted thrice "Hurrah!"


s: When they had polished off a little beer;


s: But took the treasure while a burning tear,


s: Unchecked and gentle, trembled on the cheek


s: And damped the furrows of full many a year,


s: And fettered up the lips; thankful and meek,


s: Each rustic bent his toil-worn brow, but could not speak.


s: And each one passed his rough and heavy sleeve


s: What human breast that tears may not relieve?


s: What cheek that tears can never beautify?


s: Back to their toil, back to their daily bread,


s: Then homewards. In the evening's streaky sky


s: The crescent moon gleamed faintly overhead


s: And whispered that their little ones were hushed in bed.


s: Our friends and visitors withdrew inside


s: Now they had tossed the hay and had their fill,


s: And it was proper time they should, beside--


s: The fields were getting positively chill;


s: The trap was ready, and the lamps were lighted,


s: And pleased they were to chat awhile, but still


s: It made the journey tedious if benighted;


s: Of course they mentioned they'd been thoroughly delighted.


s: Then scribbling autographs seemed all the go,


s: And music took the place of tossing hay,


s: Of course what could they say? they said they would,


s: And highly pleased they all were I daresay;


s: And so between them all 'twas understood


s: They had arranged a pic-nic near some distant wood.


s: Meanwhile the horse was getting slightly frisky,


s: Impatient quite to trot his homeward road;


s: Of course our friends must have a glass of whisky,


s: The frisky horse, the trap, and all be blowed:


s: They were in no great hurry to be there,


s: Perhaps preferring to remain just where they were.


s: But still the parting came: as for adieus,


s: As all the "Hows" and "Whens" and "How d'ye dos"


s: They all took "quite excruciating" leave,


s: For which a florin-piece she did receive,


s: Then hurried back in quite a frantic state,


s: Indeed her eyes with very pleasure did dilate.


s: Now they were all alone, the day was o'er,


s: The blinds were down and all the shutters closed,


s: And all did whatsoe'er they felt disposed;


s: Mamma, with covered face, lay down and dozed,


s: Papa and his three daughters played at loo,


s: It was a pleasant pastime they supposed,


s: I almost think it must have been, don't you?


s: But everybody wished the day would dawn anew.


s: Three lovely games at loo, and then discussed


s: The nice refreshment in the pleasant shade;


s: And I am sure they must have been repaid


s: Quite amply for their trouble in the pleasure


s: For Dora seemed amused beyond all measure--


s: (She was the eldest one, you know, and such a treasure!)


s: The household said good night to chat and cards,


s: They were, at least they seemed to be, worn out;


s: And 'tis the same, I think, with tiny bards,


s: For they, too, must leave off sometimes, no doubt,


s: Most folks, I know, would rather be without


s: For dallying all my time amongst the host


s: Of scribbling dolts; but writing verse is not my boast.


s: Good-bye, my friends, for now, I really think,


s: 'Tis time to pause for I have croaked so long,


s: And hush the grating measure of my song,


s: Your kind applause may not to me belong,


s: It might have been much better I'll agree,


s: But if you'll just decide to come along--


s: We'll both shake hands upon the subject merrily.


s: It is a pity fools are prone to scribble,


s: Such pigmy rhymesters as sincerely yours,


s: Who flabbergast their nursery-maids and dribble


s: All men form two divisions--first, the Bores,


s: Next, those who must incessantly be bored;


s: To those who can explain I leave the cause,


s: Or him who said so ('twas a certain Lord)


s: I want a rest, I blink, I see some authors,


s: And laurel wreaths and pens both great and small,


s: But weirdly mixed with inkpots, cups and saucers,


s: How dare such stupid things intrude at all!


s: There, let me sleep for Goodness' Gracious' sake,


s: Hush, hush, my darling, hush, else rest I cannot take.


s: Good day, and how d'ye do my friends and neighbours?


s: I feel refreshed and recommence my labours,


s: And urge my soaring Pegasus through air,


s: But not to dose you more than you can bear,


s: To take my flight with others, I presume,


s: And why not so, my friends, since there's no lack of room?


s: So stand aside and let me have my bellow,


s: You surely will not grudge me pen and ink!


s: I've little doubt that if you stop to think


s: You'll recollect I've met you once before,


s: I'm not the humbug who would wish to shrink


s: From friends of old, and so let's have your paw;


s: Of course 'twere better we were friendly to be sure.


s: You know my failing and you will forgive it,


s: Or "_lump it_" p'raps (to use a common phrase),


s: Yet, as with most objections, you'll outlive it


s: The fact is this, I never look for praise


s: In such-like nonsense, towards a more befitting end.


s: I have my likes, great likes, great dislikes too,


s: 'Twere well did I just one or two rehearse;


s: I hate to see a youngster scribbling verse;


s: And now, my friends, just think, what can be worse


s: Than wasting time when we've so little of it?


s: But waywardness will surely prove a curse,


s: They tell me that I ought to be above it,


s: That is to say, my kinsfolk and belovëd.


s: But something strange impels me to the task,


s: 'Tis hard indeed (I find it so) to fight


s: Most likely tho' I shall grow wiser by and bye.


s: Why, there's the breakfast bell, and, ten to one,


s: Those girls are fast asleep, and what d'ye bet?


s: And Julia's just been waking them, what fun!


s: Ah, very well, you've lost, and don't forget


s: That you are now, let's see, a florin in my debt.


s: The girls were late indeed and no mistake;


s: But Julia said they all were wide awake,


s: To order in the breakfast then and there,


s: Concluding 'twas the excitement yesterday,


s: For waiting long was more than she could bear;


s: So after having kissed papa she took her chair.


s: To gain some knowledge of the coming weather,


s: Then stared and took out his chronometer,


s: He rang the bell in order to know whether


s: His daughters really had begun to dress,


s: And Julia, quite as light as any feather,


s: Swept in and pertly answered, "Yes, Sir, yes,"


s: Much to his satisfaction, doubtless, you may guess.


s: They all came down to find the breakfast cold,


s: And there was then and there a great "to-do,"


s: And answered their excuses with "pooh-pooh:"


s: I think 'twas rather too bad tho', don't you,


s: Since they had done the very best they could


s: To entertain their visitors all through?


s: But there! she only scolded for their good,


s: And 'twas not well for them o'er such-like things to brood.


s: For several days they were not quite the thing,


s: And all excursions for the present ceased;


s: And momently their restlessness increased,


s: The sketch was left unheeded: incomplete


s: The slippers they were knitting ere the feast,


s: And faded garlands strewed the arbour seat,


s: Now silent and neglected was that cool retreat.


s: But still this feeling's always more or less


s: For soon they all were lark-like as before,


s: Indeed they took to frolic more and more;


s: They were the liveliest feminines one ever saw.


s: It somehow chanced one night they could not sleep,


s: They did not even doze, but wakeful lay;


s: Oblivion's mists their senses did not steep;


s: So they commenced to chat the time away,


s: Their rooms were quite convenient for it too,


s: Then on to various topics did they stray,


s: No doubt 'twas quite enjoyable, they thought so too.


s: At last, of course, they didn't wish to doze,


s: Which only met with their disapprobation;


s: And jokes were cracked in lively alternation:


s: From sundry rappings "peal on peal afar"


s: And, dozing sweetly too, most likely their papa.


s: They brought their voices down to somewhat low.


s: T' arouse the slumb'ring folks they never meant,


s: Whom they'd disturbed so much a while ago;


s: So they arranged at once that both should go


s: To Dora's bedroom if they wished to speak,


s: And "trip it on the light fantastic toe,"


s: But, oh dear, how those stupid boards did creak


s: As both of them their darling sister's room did seek!


s: The cups were steaming with an _odor gratus_,


s: They thought not of the hour and little cared


s: How far advanced the night, and gaily fared


s: On Spanish rusks and coffee, whilst the cry


s: Of cockerel answered cockerel, and they shared


s: And chatted over several matters merrily.


s: With _robe de chambre_ and slippers, each one seemed


s: While from each dimpled cheek a beauty beamed,


s: Moreover each one's _deshabille_ had lent


s: A careless grace which numbers can't convey,


s: As tho' fair Venus all her arts had spent


s: Or had transformed each fondling to a fairy-fay.


s: And there they sweetly lounged _in statu quo_,


s: More beautiful than words can ever tell,


s: I should have deemed quite indispensable,


s: The loveliest primrose in the greenest dell,


s: Fairer than fleece-like cloudlets of the southern skies.


s: Now Flora oped the casement, for she sought


s: The realm of silent Night. The breezes soft


s: Swept o'er her brow and cooled each burning thought,


s: And calmly bore each tranquil prayer aloft;


s: She sniffed the balmy air and lightly quaffed


s: The faint and mellow perfumes as they came,


s: Had done before. Who would not do the same,


s: And fondly praise his Maker's most belovëd name?


s: Below, the pebbly rill, like the fond sigh


s: Of maiden's love, was whispering to the night,


s: While on its breast the star-lit canopy,


s: To share its holy peace, its still delight,


s: And join the drowsy nocturnes that arose,


s: All weary mortals' earthly turmoils, cares and woes.


s: And summer dews had steeped the verdant sod,


s: The moon-rays shimmered o'er the spangled lea,


s: And taught the soul the eloquence of God,


s: While o'er the gray expanse with trembling wing


s: And faintly breathed o'er every dormant thing


s: Its soft, sad benediction. This did Flora sing:--


s: Thy course is bent thro' clouds--on them


s: They soon were rather weary and methinks


s: Their chirp-like chatter did grow somewhat less,


s: Now one would rouse herself from forty winks,


s: Indeed it was high time, as you may guess,


s: They should disperse--they wisely thought so too,


s: Then kissed and smiled and each one did confess


s: Such pranks as these would never, never do;


s: Of course they'd have to meet the scolding, that they knew.


s: Their dreams were peopled with all forms and shapes


s: That nightmare with its horrors can conceive,


s: Entangled in all nets that dreams can weave


s: The meshy maze, yet struggled all in vain,


s: As then; thus pleasure's always found preceding pain.


s: Rose, like the others, saw the wrong she did


s: Personified in dreams, while on her chest,


s: Came down to crush her flat, she did her best,


s: Like dreaming people do when so distressed,


s: To move from underneath the cruel thing,


s: When up came Ju to know if she were dressed


s: And if she heard the bell for breakfast ring,


s: Surprised indeed so late to find her slumbering.


s: She heard it, yes, but with a dreaming ear,


s: She heard the funeral knell, she saw the bier,


s: Which was to seal her most unpleasant end;


s: The housemaid to inform the time of day,


s: The Spinx etcetera did their ways amend,


s: Politely bowed, took wing, and flew away;


s: Rose wished them all good morning with no more delay.


s: The girls went down to breakfast with a look


s: Which spoke guilt, shame and terror all in one,


s: Each sigh was language and each glance a book


s: Narrating all the mischief they had done;


s: And cowering conscience cautioned them to shun


s: The searching lectures of parental eyes,


s: And Pater looked around the room in mute surprise.


s: Then glances were exchanged, and both declared


s: Such freaks as these again must never be,


s: Since they'd been naughty to the last degree,


s: Stamping with anger at the guilty three,


s: But 'twas not long e'er she again was calm,


s: And all her daughters knew of course she meant no harm.


s: But this unhappy circumstance was soon--


s: Like such unpleasantnesses were--forgotten,


s: All things were tolerably straight by noon,


s: (_For family disputes are hell-begotten_);


s: So they betook them to their knitting-cotton,


s: And felt themselves forgiven, as they were,


s: They said that lesson should be unforgotten,


s: So they had asked their parents' pardon I infer.


s: As they expressed it, e'er they could "turn round;"


s: Before they were aware, the month had gone,


s: The first of August, too, had come they found,


s: (A fact which seemed the household to astound)


s: A short excursion, by the pleasant sound


s: In following this suggestion they were not behind.


s: It _was_ the first of August, now I know,


s: For I myself was surely doomed to grieve,


s: 'Twas then (but why, I really can't conceive)


s: From then she always wished me over at Malabar.


s: Nor rolled within the doubles of her gown,


s: Nor dandled as when fondlings "go to town,"


s: Nor kissed and snuggled when I went to bed,


s: Or rather when conveyed there with a frown,


s: A downright shaking and a smarting head;


s: To me no coaxing sweet appeal was made when fed.


s: I'm half afraid this must remain a query


s: For theories are by theories overturned,


s: And what a wise man says a coon disputes,


s: For my part I must leave it with the learned,


s: And those who play the fool with such pursuits,


s: I take the first that comes, or anyone which suits.


s: But if that version of the matter's true


s: I must have suffered for my previous sin,


s: Some former life of follies, what think you?


s: Some other mischief I've been joining in;


s: On things so troublesome and as abstruse,


s: What was there that could possibly induce


s: Pythagoras to turn his pen to such a use?


s: Is somewhat pleasant, therefore let it be;


s: But what of that, it's all the same to me!


s: In fact, to tell the truth, I cannot see


s: I think it so, and, doubtless, so do many more.


s: "One fool makes many," as the saying goes,


s: There was some slight resemblance I suppose,


s: I'm sure you will agree with me and say so,


s: I'm prone to 'light on topics that are stale,


s: As I have said before, I know that I am frail.


s: Well laden with good things by way of luncheon,


s: Our heroines were starting on their way,


s: With ham and tongue, and wine an infant puncheon,


s: Above, the pendent lark was on the wing,


s: The fair ones, each and all, had lots to say,


s: The very air with their blithe merriment did ring.


s: 'Twas early yet, and, as they were proceeding,


s: On some poor widow they'd arranged to call,


s: To give her heart the comfort she was needing,


s: Of worsted. To the cottage gate they came,


s: And, doubtless, reader, you have often done the same.


s: They knocked, then pressed the latch and entered. There


s: Her grandchild sat; oh, she was sweet to see!


s: Her cheek was bright, and fairer than the fair,