To meet her glorious brother's greeting beam. I marvel much that thou hast never told
How, from a flower, into a fish of gold
Apollo changed thee: how thou next didst seem A black-eyed swan upon the widening stream; And when thou first didst in that mirror trace The placid features of a human face; That thou hast never told thy travels strange, And all the wonders of the mazy range O'er pebbly crystal, and o'er golden sands; Kissing thy daily food from Naiads' pearly hands. November, 1815.
FULL many a dreary hour have I past, My brain bewilder'd, and my mind o'ercast With heaviness; in seasons when I've thought No sphery strains by me could e'er be caught From the blue dome, though I to dimness gaze On the far depth where sheeted lightning plays; Or, on the wavy grass outstretch'd supinely, Pry 'mong the stars, to strive to think divinely: That I should never hear Apollo's song, Though feathery clouds were floating all along The purple west, and, two bright streaks between, The golden lyre itself were dimly seen: That the still murmur of the honey-bee Would never teach a rural song to me :
That the bright glance from beauty's eyelids slanting Would never make a lay of mine enchanting,
Or warm my breast with ardor to unfold
Some tale of love and arms in time of old.
But there are times, when those that love the bay, Fly from all sorrowing far, far away ;
A sudden glow comes on them, naught they see In water, earth, or air, but poesy.
It has been said, dear George, and true I hold it (For knightly Spenser to Libertas told it), That when a Poet is in such a trance,
In air he sees white coursers paw and prance, Bestridden of gay knights, in gay apparel, Who at each other tilt in playful quarrel; And what we, ignorantly, sheet-lightning call, Is the swift opening of their wide portal, When the bright warder blows his trumpet clear Whose tones reach naught on earth but poet's ear. When these enchanted portals open wide, And through the light the horsemen swiftly glide, The Poet's eye can reach those golden halls, And view the glory of their festivals: Their ladies fair, that in the distance seem Fit for the silvering of a seraph's dream; Their rich brimm'd goblets, that incessant run, Like the bright spots that move about the sun; And when upheld, the wine from each bright jar Pours with the lustre of a falling star. Yet further off are dimly seen their bowers, Of which no mortal eye can reach the flowers; And 't is right just, for well Apollo knows "Twould make the Poet quarrel with the rose. All that's reveal'd from that far seat of blisses, Is, the clear fountains' interchanging kisses, As gracefully descending, light and thin,
Like silver streaks across a dolphin's fin, When he upswimmeth from the coral caves, And sports with half his tail above the waves.
These wonders strange he sees, and many more, Whose head is pregnant with poetic lore : Should he upon an evening ramble fare With forehead to the soothing breezes bare, Would he naught see but the dark, silent blue, With all its diamonds trembling through and through? Or the coy moon, when in the waviness
Of whitest clouds she does her beauty dress,
And staidly paces higher up, and higher,
Like a sweet nun in holiday attire ?
Ah, yes! much more would start into his sight— The revelries and mysteries of night:
And should I ever see them, I will tell you
Such tales as needs must with amazement spell you.
These are the living pleasures of the bard:
But richer far posterity's award.
What does he murmur with his latest breath,
While his proud eye looks through the film of death? "What though I leave this dull and earthly mould, Yet shall my spirit lofty converse hold With after times.-The patriot shall feel My stern alarum, and unsheath his steel; Or in the senate thunder out my numbers, To startle princes from their easy slumbers. The sage will mingle with each moral theme My happy thoughts sententious: he will teem With lofty periods when my verses fire him, And then I'll stoop from heaven to inspire him.
Lays have I left of such a dear delight
That maids will sing them on their bridal-night. Gay villagers, upon a morn of May,
When they have tired their gentle limbs with play, And form'd a snowy circle on the grass,
And placed in midst of all that lovely lass Who chosen is their queen,—with her fine head Crowned with flowers purple, white, and red: For there the lily and the musk-rose sighing, Are emblems true of hapless lovers dying: Between her breasts, that never yet felt trouble, A bunch of violets full blown, and double, Serenely sleep :—she from a casket takes A little book, and then a joy awakes About each youthful heart,-with stifled cries, And rubbing of white hands, and sparkling eyes: For she's to read a tale of hopes and fears; One that I foster'd in my youthful years:
The pearls, that on each glistening circlet sleep, Gush ever and anon with silent creep Lured by the innocent dimples. To sweet rest Shall the dear babe, upon its mother's breast, Be lull'd with songs of mine. Fair world, adieu! Thy dales and hills are fading from my view: Swiftly I mount, upon wide-spreading pinions, Far from the narrow bounds of thy dominions. Full joy I feel, while thus I cleave the air,
That my soft verse will charm thy daughters fair,
And warm thy sons !" Ah, my dear friend and brother,
Could I, at once, my mad ambition smother,
For tasting joys like these, sure I should be
Happier, and dearer to society.
At times, 't is true, I've felt relief from pain
When some bright thought has darted through my brain: Through all that day I've felt a greater pleasure Than if I had brought to light a hidden treasure. As to my sonnets, though none else should heed them, I feel delighted, still, that you should read them. Of late, too, I have had much calm enjoyment, Stretch'd on the grass at my best loved employment Of scribbling lines for you. These things I thought While, in my face, the freshest breeze I caught. E'en now I am pillow'd on a bed of flowers That crowns a lofty cliff, which proudly towers Above the ocean waves. The stalks and blades Chequer my tablet with their quivering shades. On one side is a field of drooping oats,
Through which the poppies show their scarlet coats, So pert and useless, that they bring to mind The scarlet coats that pester human-kind. And on the other side, out-spread, is seen Ocean's blue mantle, streak'd with purple and Now 't is I see a canvass'd ship, and now Mark the bright silver curling round her prow. I see the lark down-dropping to his nest, And the broad-wing'a sea-gull never at rest; For when no more he spreads his feathers free, His breast is dancing on the restless sea. Now I direct my eyes into the west,
Which at this moment is in sun-beams drest: Why westward turn? 'Twas but to say adieu! "T was but to kiss my hand, dear George, to you! August, 1816.
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