The silk star-broider'd coverlid Unto her limbs itself doth mould Languidly ever; and, amid Her full black ringlets downward roll'd, Glows forth each softly-shadow'd arm With bracelets of the diamond bright : Her constant beauty doth inform Stillness with love, and day with light. She sleeps her breathings are not heard That lie upon her charmed heart. She sleeps on either hand upswells The gold-fringed pillow lightly prest : She sleeps, nor dreams, but ever dwells A perfect form in perfect rest, THE ARRIVAL. ALL precious things, discover'd late, For love in sequel works with fate, And draws the veil from hidden worth. He travels far from other skies His mantle glitters on the rocks A fairy Prince, with joyful eyes, And lighter-footed than the fox. The bodies and the bones of those Or scatter'd blanching in the grass. He gazes on the silent dead: "They perish'd in their daring deeds." This proverb flashes thro' his head, "The many fail: the one succeeds." He comes, scarce knowing what he seeks : He breaks the hedge: he enters there : The colour flies into his cheeks: He trusts to light on something fair ; For all his life the charm did talk About his path, and hover near With words of promise in his walk, More close and close his footsteps wind; The magic music in his heart Beats quick and quicker, till he find The quiet chamber far apart. His spirit flutters like a lark, He stoops-to kiss her-on his knee. "Love, if thy tresses be so dark, How dark those hidden eyes must be!" THE REVIVAL. A TOUCH, a kiss! the charm was snapt. A breeze thro' all the garden swept, And sixty feet the fountain leapt. The hedge broke in, the banner blew, The fire shot up, the martin flew, The parrot scream'd, the peacock squall'd, The maid and page renew'd their strife, The palace bang'd, and buzz'd and clackt, And all the long pent stream of life Dash'd downward in a cataract. And last of all the king awoke, And in his chair himself uprear'd, And yawn'd, and rubb'd his face, and spoke, 66 By holy rood, a royal beard! How say you? we have slept, my lords. "Pardy," return'd the king, "but still The chancellor, sedate and vain, In courteous words return'd reply; But dallied with his golden chain, And, smiling, put the question by. |