Yet with harmonious pulses thrilled throughout, That with one spirit inform the closing scene. Lady, and thou my brother, ye whose hearts Have feeling, thankfulness, perceptions deep, Proportionate to that which ye enjoy, Well are ye matched; domesticated here, And linked harmoniously in golden chains, That make sweet music as ye walk along Your path in life, without discordant fears, Long may this cherished spot be blessed, and long May all the grove and all the day be yours. 1840-1842. S THE BEE ORCHIS. EE, dearest girl, this image bright! Its thin-wrought plume, and honeyed thighs, Think not to set the captive free: Yet wonder not that Nature's power Nature, who could that form inspire With strength and swiftness, life and fire; And bid it search each spicy vale Where flowers their fragrant souls exhale; And labouring well to store the hive, For when in Parian stone we trace An imitative Paradise; And feel the warm affections glow By Nature first proposed to man; Like cloud upon the summer sky; Lest memory of the brave and just Should sleep with them, consigned to dust; With leading hand the expedient proves, And paints for us the form she loves. THE FAWN. HE favourite fawn is gliding to and fro, THE With all the grace of Rylstone's famous doe, Down the green lane, and through the half-wild glade By over-arching birch and hazel made; Whose boughs subdue, but shut not out, the ray As liquid lapse of summer waves can be ; BUT if her mistress should appear, And in her hand an offering bear Of apple, carrot, bread, or cake, What sudden change that sight will make! Upright she jumps on all four feet, And hastes with bleating cry to greet With eager neck, and nostril wide, Come without fear, and eat thy fill: I care not, though thy wayward manners prove Romance too often ends in cupboard love. 1840. |