Nor, though the sun of day be shrouded quite, Swerve from the narrow path to left or right. ON THE HILL-SIDE. And self to take or leave is free, THE winds behind me in the thicket Say not, "I would, but could not - sigh, The bees fly droning on laborious wing, Pink cloudlets scarcely float across the sky. September stillness broods o'er everything. Deep peace is in my soul: I seem to hear Catullus murmuring, "Let us live and love; Suns rise and set, and fill the rolling year Which bears us deathward, therefore let us love; Pour forth the wine of kisses, let them flow, And let us drink our fill before we die." Hush! in the thicket still the breezes blow; [sky; Pink cloudlets sail across the azure The bees warp lazily on laden wing; Beauty and stillness brood o'er everything. He NEW LIFE, NEW LOVE. APRIL is in; Blue shines the sky, Death took my dear: ОH, that the waters of oblivion Might purge the burdened soul of her life's dross, Cleansing dark overgrowths that dull the gloss Wherewith her pristine gold so purely shone! Oh, that some spell might make us dream undone Those deeds that fret our pillow, when we toss Racked by the torments of that living cross Where memory frowns, a grim centurion! [smart, Sleep, the kind soother of our bodily Is bought and sold by scales-weight; quivering nerves Sink into slumber when the hand To him who else were lonely, that another Of the great family is near, and feels. ON THE RECEPTION. of wordSWORTH AT OXFORD. OH! never did a mighty truth prevail With such felicities of place and time As Fram the full heart of England's youth, to hail. in those shouts sent forth with joy sublime Her once neglected bard within the pale Of Learning's fairest citadel! That voice, In which the future thunders, bids rejoice Some who through wintry fortunes did not fail To bless with love as deep as life, the name Thus welcomed; - who in happy silence share The triumph; while their fondest musings claim Unhoped-for echoes in the joyous air, That to their long-loved poet's spirit bear. A nation's promise of undying fame. |