When her coevals each and all are fled, What keeps her thus reclined upon her lonesome bed? The old mythologists, more impressed than we Of this late day by character in tree Or herb, that claimed peculiar sympathy, Or by the silent lapse of fountain clear, Or with the language of the viewless air By bird or beast made vocal, sought a cause To solve the mystery, not in Nature's laws, But in Man's fortunes. Hence a thousand tales Sung to the plaintive lyre in Grecian vales. Nor doubt that something of their spirit swayed The fancy-stricken Youth or heart-sick Maid, Who, while each stood companionless, and eyed This undeparting Flower in crimson dyed, Thought of a wound which death is slow to cure, A fate that has endured and will endure, And, patience coveting yet passion feeding, Called the dejected Lingerer, Love-lies-Bleeding. XXX. RURAL ILLUSIONS. SYLPH was it? or a Bird more bright Than those of fabulous stock? A second darted by; and lo! Another of the flock, Through sunshine flitting from the bough To nestle in the rock. Of April's mimicries! Those brilliant strangers, hailed with joy Among the budding trees, Proved last year's leaves, pushed from the spray To frolic on the breeze. Maternal Flora! show thy face, Thy hand here sprinkling tiny flowers, Yet, sooth, those little starry specks, To be confounded with live growths, Were only blossoms dropped from twigs Not such the World's illusive shows; Her wingless flutterings, Her blossoms, which, though shed, outbrave The floweret as it springs, For the undeceived, smile as they may, Are melancholy things: But gentle Nature plays her part With ever-varying wiles, And transient feignings with plain truth That those fond Idlers most are pleased XXXI. 1832. THE KITTEN AND FALLING LEAVES. THAT way look, my Infant, lo! See the Kitten on the wall, Sporting with the leaves that fall, Withered leaves,―one, two, and three, From the lofty elder-tree! Through the calm and frosty air Of this morning bright and fair, In his wavering parachute. But the Kitten, how she starts, Crouches, stretches, paws, and darts! First at one, and then its fellow Just as light and just as yellow; There are many now, - now one, Now they stop and there are none: What intenseness of desire In her upward eye of fire! With a tiger-leap half-way Now she meets the coming prey, Lets it go as fast, and then Has it in her power again : Now she works with three or four, Like an Indian conjurer; Quick as he in feats of art, Far beyond in joy of heart. "T is a pretty baby-treat; Nor, I deem, for me unmeet; Here for neither Babe nor me Other playmate can I see. Of the countless living things, That with stir of feet and wings, (In the sun or under shade, Upon bough or grassy blade,) Chirp and song, and murmurings, All have laid their mirth aside Where is he, that giddy Sprite, Blue-cap, with his colors bright, Who was blest as bird could be, Feeding in the apple-tree; Made such wanton spoil and rout, Turning blossoms inside out; Hung, head pointing towards the ground Fluttered, perched, into a round Bound himself, and then unbound ; Lithest, gaudiest Harlequin ! Prettiest tumbler ever seen! Light of heart, and light of limb; What is now become of him? Lambs, that through the mountains went |