Part 2 (1/2)

A long-drawn aisle, with roof of green And vine-clad pillars, while between, The Esk runs murmuring on its way, In living music night and day.

Within the temple of this wood The martyrs of the covenant stood, And rolled the psalm, and poured the prayer, From Nature's solemn altar-stair.

Edinburgh, 1877.

SONGS OUT OF DOORS

LATER POEMS

WHEN TULIPS BLOOM

I

When tulips bloom in Union Square, And timid breaths of vernal air Go wandering down the dusty town, Like children lost in Vanity Fair;

When every long, unlovely row Of westward houses stands aglow, And leads the eyes to sunset skies Beyond the hills where green trees grow;

Then weary seems the street parade, And weary books, and weary trade: I'm only wis.h.i.+ng to go a-fis.h.i.+ng; For this the month of May was made.

II

I guess the p.u.s.s.y-willows now Are creeping out on every bough Along the brook; and robins look For early worms behind the plough.

The thistle-birds have changed their dun, For yellow coats, to match the sun; And in the same array of flame The Dandelion Show's begun.

The flocks of young anemones Are dancing round the budding trees: Who can help wis.h.i.+ng to go a-fis.h.i.+ng In days as full of joy as these?

III

I think the meadow-lark's clear sound Leaks upward slowly from the ground, While on the wing the bluebirds ring Their wedding-bells to woods around.

The flirting chewink calls his dear Behind the bush; and very near, Where water flows, where green gra.s.s grows, Song-sparrows gently sing, ”Good cheer.”

And, best of all, through twilight's calm The hermit-thrush repeats his psalm.

How much I'm wis.h.i.+ng to go a-fis.h.i.+ng In days so sweet with music's balm!

IV

'Tis not a proud desire of mine; I ask for nothing superfine; No heavy weight, no salmon great, To break the record, or my line.

Only an idle little stream, Whose amber waters softly gleam, Where I may wade through woodland shade, And cast the fly, and loaf, and dream:

Only a trout or two, to dart From foaming pools, and try my art: 'Tis all I'm wis.h.i.+ng--old-fas.h.i.+oned fis.h.i.+ng, And just a day on Nature's heart.

1894.

THE WHIP-POOR-WILL

Do you remember, father,-- It seems so long ago,-- The day we fished together Along the Pocono?

At dusk I waited for you, Beside the lumber-mill, And there I heard a hidden bird That chanted, ”whip-poor-will,”