Volume Ii Part 7 (1/2)
_TO THE DAISY_.
The two following Poems were overflowings of the mind in composing the one which stands first in the first Volume.
With little here to do or see Of things that in the great world be, Sweet Daisy! oft I talk to thee, For thou art worthy, Thou una.s.suming Common-place Of Nature, with that homely face, And yet with something of a grace, Which Love makes for thee!
Oft do I sit by thee at ease, And weave a web of similies, 10 Loose types of Things through all degrees, Thoughts of thy raising: And many a fond and idle name I give to thee, for praise or blame, As is the humour of the game, While I am gazing.
A Nun demure of lowly port, Or sprightly Maiden of Love's Court, In thy simplicity the sport Of all temptations; 20 A Queen in crown of rubies drest, A Starveling in a scanty vest, Are all, as seem to suit thee best, Thy appellations.
A little Cyclops, with one eye Staring to threaten and defy, That thought comes next--and instantly The freak is over, The shape will vanish, and behold!
A silver s.h.i.+eld with boss of gold, 30 That spreads itself, some Faery bold In fight to cover.
I see thee glittering from afar;-- And then thou art a pretty Star, Not quite so fair as many are In heaven above thee!
Yet, like a star, with glittering crest, Self-poised in air thou seem'st to rest;-- May peace come never to his nest, Who shall reprove thee! 40
Sweet Flower! for by that name at last, When all my reveries are past, I call thee, and to that cleave fast, Sweet silent Creature!
That breath'st with me in sun and air, Do thou, as thou art wont, repair My heart with gladness, and a share Of thy meek nature!
_TO THE SAME FLOWER_.
Bright Flower, whose home is every where!
A Pilgrim bold in Nature's care, And all the long year through the heir Of joy or sorrow, Methinks that there abides in thee Some concord with humanity, Given to no other Flower I see The forest thorough!
Is it that Man is soon deprest?
A thoughtless Thing! who, once unblest, 10 Does little on his memory rest, Or on his reason, And Thou would'st teach him how to find A shelter under every wind.
A hope for times that are unkind And every season?
Thou wander'st the wide world about, Uncheck'd by pride or scrupulous doubt, With friends to greet thee, or without, Yet pleased and willing; 20 Meek, yielding to the occasion's call, And all things suffering from all, Thy function apostolical In peace fulfilling.
_INCIDENT_, Characteristic of a favourite Dog, which belonged to a Friend of the Author.
On his morning rounds the Master Goes to learn how all things fare; Searches pasture after pasture, Sheep and Cattle eyes with care; And, for silence or for talk, He hath Comrades in his walk; Four Dogs, each pair of different breed, Distinguished two for scent, and two for speed.
See, a Hare before him started!
--Off they fly in earnest chace; 10 Every Dog is eager-hearted, All the four are in the race!
And the Hare whom they pursue Hath an instinct what to do; Her hope is near: no turn she makes; But, like an arrow, to the River takes.
Deep the River was, and crusted Thinly by a one night's frost; But the nimble Hare hath trusted To the ice, and safely crost; 20 She hath crost, and without heed All are following at full speed, When, lo! the ice, so thinly spread, Breaks--and the Greyhound, DART, is over head!