And the Sea-horse, though the ocean If on windy days the Raven The fleet Ostrich, till day closes, Brooding on her eggs reposes When chill night that care demands. Day and night my toils redouble, 1800. XXIV. STRAY PLEASURES. -Pleasure is spread through the earth In stray gifts to be claimed by whoever shall find.' Charles [SUGGESTED on the Thames by the sight of one of those floating mills that used to be seen there. This I noticed on the Surrey side between Somerset House and Blackfriars' Bridge. Lamb was with me at the time; and I thought it remarkable that I should have to point out to him, an idolatrous Londoner, a sight so interesting as the happy group dancing on the platform. Mills of this kind used to be, and perhaps still are, not uncommon on the Continent. I noticed several upon the river Saone in the year 1799, particularly near the town of Chalons, where my friend Jones and I halted a day when we crossed France; so far on foot: there we embarked, and floated down to Lyons.] By their floating mill, That lies dead and still, Behold yon Prisoners three, The Miller with two Dames, on the breast of the Thames! The platform is small, but gives room for them all; And they're dancing merrily. From the shore come the notes To their mill where it floats, To their house and their mill tethered fast: To the small wooden isle where, their work to beguile, They from morning to even take whatever is given;And many a blithe day they have past. In sight of the spires, All alive with the fires Of the sun going down to his rest, In the broad open eye of the solitary sky, They dance, there are three, as jocund as free, Man and Maidens wheel, They themselves make the reel, And their music's a prey which they seize; They dance not for me, Yet mine is their glee! Thus pleasure is spread through the earth The showers of the spring Rouse the birds, and they sing; If the wind do but stir for his proper delight, 1806 XXV. THE PILGRIM'S DREAM. OR, THE STAR AND THE GLOW-WORM. [I DISTINCTLY recollect the evening when these verses were suggested in 1818. It was on the road between Rydal and Grasmere, where Glow-worms abound. A Star was shining above the ridge of Loughrigg Fell, just opposite. I remember a critic, in some review or other, crying out against this piece. "What so monstrous," said he, "as to make a star talk to a glow-worm!" Poor fellow! we know from this sage observation what the "primrose on the river's brim was to him."] A PILGRIM, when the summer day Or heath-besprinkled copse might yield, He paced along; and, pensively, Halting beneath a shady tree, Whose moss-grown root might serve for couch or seat, Fixed on a Star his upward eye; Then, from the tenant of the sky He turned, and watched with kindred look, A Glow-worm, in a dusky nook, Apparent at his feet. The murmur of a neighbouring stream A pregnant dream, within whose shadowy bounds And That which glittered from afar; And (strange to witness!) from the frame Much did it taunt the humble Light That now, when day was fled, and night Hushed the dark earth, fast closing weary eyes, A very reptile could presume To show her taper in the gloom, As if in rivalship with One Who sate a ruler on his throne "Exalted Star!" the Worm replied, But not for this do I aspire To match the spark of local fire, That at my will burns on the dewy iawn, VOL. II. E |