The stile beside the spreading pine, The path along the windy beach, I view them all, I tread once more 25 30 Oh, happy hours of pure delight! Sweet moments drowned in wells of bliss! 35 Each morn and evening seemed to kiss! And that whereon I saw her first, While angling in the noisy brook, When through the tangled wood she burst; 40 As with the other, dimpled, white, She held the slender boughs aside, While through the leaves the yellow light Like golden water seemed to glide, 45 And broke in ripples on her neck, She standing rapt in sweet surprise, 50 Her novel, as I raised my eyes, Dropped down amid the tall green fern. This day and that-the one so bright, Who sat with her below the pine, And with her through the meadow moved, She sang to him the song I loved. CCLXX SONG. Nathaniel G. Shepherd. 55 60 Ask me no more: the moon may draw the sea; The cloud may stoop from heaven and take the shape, Ask me no more: what answer should I give? Ask me no more: thy fate and mine are sealed: 5 10 15 Alfred Tennyson. CCLXXI THE VIOLET. Oh faint, delicious, spring-time violet, Thine odour, like a key, Turns noiselessly in memory's wards to let A thought of sorrow free. The breath of distant fields upon my brow Blows through that open door, The sound of wind-borne bells, more sweet and low It comes afar, from that beloved place, And that beloved hour, When life hung ripening in love's golden grace, Like grapes above a bower. A spring goes singing through its reedy grass, Drowned in the sky-O pass, ye visions, pass, I would that I were dead!— Why hast thou opened that forbidden door From which I ever flee? O vanished Joy! O Love that art no more, O violet! thy odour through my brain This sunny day, as if a curse did stain Thy velvet leaf. CCLXXII 5 10 15 20 William W. Story. Sweet order hath its draught of bliss Ten times ecstatic in that 'tis Considerate and innocent. In vain disorder grasps the cup; It only tastes of earth and guilt; And sun-like pleasures shine at home. CCLXXIII Coventry Patmore. THE HAPPY HUSBAND. He safely walks in darkest ways, Who is the happy husband? He, CCLXXIV THEN. 5 Coventry Patmore. I give thee treasures hour by hour, I give thee love as God gives light, I give thee prayers, like jewels strung A A 1Ο 5 As earth pours freely to the sea Her thousand streams of wealth untold, What care I for thy carelessness? Far lingering on a distant dawn Rose Terry. CCLXXV THE PRINCE OF ORANGE IN 1672. If the base violence of wicked men Prevail at last; if Charles, to please his lord, Prepare then for departure, citizens; And for the little space that yet remains, Make much of home and of your fatherland; 5 10 15 |