Their quiet being: and, unless I now The silent trees, and saw the intruding sky.- VI. SHE was a Phantom of delight To be a moment's ornament; Her eyes as stars of Twilight fair; Like Twilight's, too, her dusky hair; 1799. I saw her upon nearer view, A Spirit, yet a Woman too! Her household motions light and free, A countenance in which did meet For human nature's daily food d; For transient sorrows, simple wiles, Praise, blame, love, kisses, tears, and smiles. And now I see with eye serene 1804. VII. O NIGHTINGALE! thou surely art These notes of thine-they pierce and pierce; Thou sing'st as if the God of wine Of shades, and dews, and silent night; I heard a Stock-dove sing or say 1806. VIII. THREE years she grew in sun and shower, Then Nature said, "A lovelier flower On earth was never sown ; This Child I to myself will take ; She shall be mine, and I will make Myself will to my darling be Both law and impulse and with me : The Girl, in rock and plain, In earth and heaven, in glade and bower, Shall feel an overseeing power To kindle or restrain. She shall be sportive as the fawn And her's shall be the breathing balm, The floating clouds their state shall lend Nor shall she fail to see Even in the motions of the Storm Grace that shall mould the Maiden's form By silent sympathy. The stars of midnight shall be dear To her; and she shall lean her ear In many a secret place Where rivulets dance their wayward round, And beauty born of murmuring sound And vital feelings of delight Shall rear her form to stately height, Her virgin bosom swell; Such thoughts to Lucy I will give While she and I together live Here in this happy dell." Thus Nature spake-The work was done— How soon my Lucy's race was run! She died, and left to me This heath, this calm, and quiet scene; The memory of what has been, And never more will be. |