A MORNING EXERCISE Through border wilds where naked Indians stray, Myriads of notes attest her subtle skill; A feathered task-master cries, "WORK AWAY!" What wonder? at her bidding, ancient lays The daisy sleeps upon the dewy lawn, Hail, blest above all kinds!-Supremely skilled 179 15 20 25 30 35 Faithful, though swift as lightning, the meek dove ; Yet more hath Nature reconciled in thee; So constant with thy downward eye of love, 40 * See Waterton's Wanderings in South America.-W. W. 1832. Compare the reference to the "Melancholy Muccawiss" in The Excursion, book iii. l. 947 (vol. v. p. 140), and the note † in that page, with the appendix note C, p. 393.-ED. Compare the two last lines of the poem To a Skylark, 1825- ED. So humble, yet so ready to rejoice In power of wing and never-wearied voice.* To the last point of vision, and beyond, Yet might'st thou seem, proud privilege! to sing How would it please old Ocean to partake, Chanter by heaven attracted, whom no bars To daylight known deter from that pursuit, 'Tis well that some sage instinct, when the stars Come forth at evening, keeps Thee still and mute; For not an eyelid could to sleep incline Wert thou among them, singing as they shine! § 45 50 55 60 * Compare in Shelley's Ode to the Skylark, stanza ii. And singing still dost soar, and soaring ever singest. ED. This stanza was included in the Morning Exercise, for the first time, in 1845. It had been previously the second stanza of the poem To a Skylark, composed in 1825, and first published in 1827.-Ed. The muse who presided over astronomy.-ED. § Compare, in Addison's hymn in The Spectator, No. 465 (August 23), stanza iii. 1. 7 For ever singing as they shine. ED. THE TRIAD 181 THE TRIAD * Composed 1828.-Published 1829 (in The Keepsake) [Written at Rydal Mount. The girls, Edith Southey, my daughter Dora, and Sara Coleridge.—I. F.] One of the "Poems of the Imagination."-ED. SHOW me the noblest Youth of present time, And I will mate and match him blissfully. I will not fetch a Naiad from a flood 66 Appear!—obey my lyre's command! 5 ΙΟ 15 20 *This poem is called The Promise, in a letter written upon its publication in The Keepsake.-ED. The Phrygian Ida was a many-branched range of mountains; two subordinate ranges, parting from the principal summit, enclosed Troy as with a crescent. The Cretan Ida terminated in three snowy peaks. There may be a reference to Skiddaw's triple summit in the "British hill."-ED. The Charites-Aglaia, Thalia, and Euphrosyne-were usually represented with hands joined, as a token of graciousness and friendship.-ED. 1 Learned from the tuneful spheres that glide In endless union, earth and sea above." -I sing 2 in vain;—the pines have hushed their waving : A peerless Youth expectant at my side, 25 30 And what was boldly promised, truly shall be done. "Fear not a constraining measure! -Yielding to this gentle spell,3 Lucida!* from domes of pleasure, Or from cottage-sprinkled dell, Come to regions solitary, Where the eagle builds her aery, Above the hermit's long-forsaken cell!" That Figure, like a ship with snow-white sail ! 4 1836. And not the boldest tongue of envious pride 2 1836. 35 40 1829. Learnt THE TRIAD Upon her coming wait As pure a sunshine and as soft a gale * His richest splendour-when his veering gait Of music, audible to him alone. “O Lady, worthy of earth's proudest throne ! The worst of Fortune's malice, wert Thou near, -Queen, and håndmaid lowly! Whose skill can speed the day with lively cares, 183 45 50 55 By all that mind invents or hand prepares; 1 1845. 60 65 71 75 may brush from off his cheek The too, too happy tear! 1832. * The peacock.--ED. Robin Hood.-ED. |