POEMS OF THE FANCY. I. A MORNING EXERCISE. [WRITTEN at Rydal Mount. I could wish the last five stanzas of this to be read with the poem addressed to the skylark.] FANCY, who leads the pastimes of the glad, Blithe ravens croak of death; and when the owl Can thus pervert the evidence of joy. Through border wilds where naked Indians stray, Myriads of notes attest her subtle skill; A feathered task-master cries, "WORK AWAY!" * See Waterton's Wanderings in South America. VOL. II. B What wonder? at her bidding, ancient lays The daisy sleeps upon the dewy lawn, Glittering and twinkling near yon rosy cloud; Hail, blest above all kinds !-Supremely skilled Restless with fixed to balance, high with low, Thou leav'st the halcyon free her hopes to build On such forbearance as the deep may show Perpetual flight, unchecked by earthly ties, Leav'st to the wandering bird of paradise. ; Faithful, though swift as lightning, the meek dove; Yet more hath Nature reconciled in thee; So constant with thy downward eye of love, Yet, in aërial singleness, so free; So humble, yet so ready to rejoice In power of wing and never-wearied voice. To the last point of vision, and beyond, Mount, daring warbler!—that love-prompted strain, ('Twixt thee and thine a never-failing bond) Thrills not the less the bosom of the plain : Yet might'st thou seem, proud privilege! to sing All independent of the leafy spring.. How would it please old Ocean to partake, Chanter by heaven attracted, whom no bars 1828. II. A FLOWER GARDEN, AT COLEORTON HALL, LEICESTERSHIRE. [PLANNED by my friend, Lady Beaumont, in connexion with the garden at Coleorton.] TELL me, ye Zephyrs! that unfold, Did only softly-stealing hours There close the peaceful lives of flowers? Say, when the moving creatures saw For the still growths that prosper here? Or peeped they often from their beds All summer-long the happy Eve Yet, where the guardian fence is wound, The sight is free as air or crost And, though the jealous turf refuse ; And hither throngs of birds resort Some, inmates lodged in shady nests, Some, perched on stems of stately port That nod to welcome transient guests; While hare and leveret, seen at play, Appear not more shut out than they. |