Part 24 (1/2)
My lady comes at last, Timid, and stepping fast, And hastening hither, With modest eyes downcast: She comes--she 's here--she 's past-- May heaven go with her!
Kneel, undisturbed, fair saint!
Pour out your praise or plaint Meekly and duly; I will not enter there, To sully your pure prayer With thoughts unruly.
But suffer me to pace Round the forbidden place, Lingering a minute; Like outcast spirits who wait And see through heaven's gate Angels within it.
_THE MAHOGANY TREE._
Christmas is here; Winds whistle shrill, Icy and chill, Little care we: Little we fear Weather without Sheltered about The Mahogany Tree.
Once on the boughs Birds of rare plume Sang, in its bloom; Night-birds are we: Here we carouse, Singing like them, Perched round the stem Of the jolly old tree.
Here let us sport, Boys, as we sit; Laughter and wit Flas.h.i.+ng so free.
Life is but short-- When we are gone, Let them sing on, Round the old tree.
Evenings we knew, Happy as this; Faces we miss, Pleasant to see.
Kind hearts and true, Gentle and just, Peace to your dust!
We sing round the tree.
Care, like a dun, Lurks at the gate: Let the dog wait; Happy we 'll be!
Drink, every one; Pile up the coals, Fill the red bowls, Round the old tree.
Drain we the cup.-- Friend, art afraid?
Spirits are laid In the Red Sea.
Mantle it up; Empty it yet; Let us forget, Round the old tree.
Sorrows, begone!
Life and its ills, Duns and their bills, Bid we to flee.
Come with the dawn, Blue-devil sprite, Leave us to-night, Round the old tree.
[Decoration]
GEORGE WALTER THORNBURY.
1828-1876.
_DAYRISE AND SUNSET._
When Spring casts all her swallows forth Into the blue and lambent air, When lilacs toss their purple plumes And every cherry-tree grows fair,-- Through fields with morning tints a-glow I take my rod and singing go.
Where lilies float on broad green leaves Below the ripples of the mill, When the white moth is hovering In the dim sky so hushed and still, I watch beneath the pollard ash The greedy trout leap up and splash.