Volume I Part 1 (2/2)
[Footnote 1: A Tarn is a small Mere or Lake mostly high up in the mountains.]
There, sometimes does a leaping Fish Send through the Tarn a lonely chear; The Crags repeat the Raven's croak, In symphony austere; Thither the Rainbow comes, the Cloud; And Mists that spread the flying shroud; 30 And Sun-beams; and the sounding blast, That, if it could, would hurry past, But that enormous Barrier binds it fast.
Not knowing what to think, a while The Shepherd stood: then makes his way Towards the Dog, o'er rocks and stones, As quickly as he may; Nor far had gone before he found A human skeleton on the ground, Sad sight! the Shepherd with a sigh 40 Looks round, to learn the history.
From those abrupt and perilous rocks, The Man had fallen, that place of fear!
At length upon the Shepherd's mind It breaks, and all is clear: He instantly recall'd the Name, And who he was, and whence he came; Remember'd, too, the very day On which the Traveller pa.s.s'd this way.
But hear a wonder now, for sake 50 Of which this mournful Tale I tell!
A lasting monument of words This wonder merits well.
The Dog, which still was hovering nigh, Repeating the same timid cry, This Dog had been through three months' s.p.a.ce A Dweller in that savage place.
Yes, proof was plain that since the day On which the Traveller thus had died The Dog had watch'd about the spot, 60 Or by his Master's side: How nourish'd here through such long time He knows, who gave that love sublime, And gave that strength of feeling, great Above all human estimate.
_SHE WAS A PHANTOM OF DELIGHT_
She was a Phantom of delight When first she gleam'd upon my sight; A lovely Apparition, sent To be a moment's ornament; Her eyes as stars of Twilight fair; Like Twilight's, too, her dusky hair; But all things else about her drawn From May-time and the chearful Dawn; A dancing Shape, an Image gay, To haunt, to startle, and way-lay. 10
I saw her upon nearer view, A Spirit, yet a Woman too!
Her household motions light and free, And steps of virgin liberty; A countenance in which did meet Sweet records, promises as sweet; A Creature not too bright or good For human nature's daily food; For transient sorrows, simple wiles, Praise, blame, love, kisses, tears, and smiles. 20
And now I see with eye serene The very pulse of the machine; A Being breathing thoughtful breath; A Traveller betwixt life and death; The reason firm, the temperate will, Endurance, foresight, strength and skill; A perfect Woman; n.o.bly plann'd, To warn, to comfort, and command; And yet a Spirit still, and bright With something of an angel light. 30
_The REDBREAST and the b.u.t.tERFLY_.
Art thou the Bird whom Man loves best, The pious Bird with the scarlet breast, Our little English Robin; The Bird that comes about our doors When Autumn winds are sobbing?
Art thou the Peter of Norway Boors?
Their Thomas in Finland, And Russia far inland?
The Bird, whom by some name or other All men who know thee call their Brother, 10 The Darling of Children and men?
Could Father Adam open his eyes, And see this sight beneath the skies, He'd wish to close them again.
If the b.u.t.terfly knew but his friend Hither his flight he would bend, And find his way to me Under the branches of the tree: In and out, he darts about; His little heart is throbbing: 20 Can this be the Bird, to man so good, Our consecrated Robin!
That, after their bewildering, Did cover with leaves the little children, So painfully in the wood?
What ail'd thee Robin that thou could'st pursue A beautiful Creature, That is gentle by nature?
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