A breath of May, and of the wood's repose; For I in sooth depart, With a reluctant heart, That fain would linger where the bright sun glows. Fain would I stay with thee Alas! this may not be ; Yet bring me still the gifts of happier hours! Go where the fountain's breast Catches in glassy rest The dim green light that pours thro' laurel bowers. I know how softly bright, Steep'd in that tender light, The water-lilies tremble there ev'n now; Go to the pure stream's edge, And from its whisp'ring sedge, Bring me those flowers to cool my fever'd brow! Then, as in Hope's young days, Track thou the antique maze Of the rich garden to its grassy mound; There is a lone white rose, Shedding, in sudden snows, Its faint leaves o'er the emerald turf around. Well know'st thou that fair tree A murmur of the bee Dwells ever in the honey'd lime above; Bring me one pearly flower Of all its clustering shower For on that spot we first reveal'd our love. Gather one woodbine bough, Then, from the lattice low Of the bower'd cottage which I bade thee mark, When by the hamlet last, Thro' dim wood-lanes we pass'd, While dews were glancing to the glow-worm's spark. Haste! to my pillow bear My hand no more may The bind them up Yet shall their odour soft at eve, One bright dream round me waft Of life, youth, summer,-all that I must leave! And oh! if thou would'st ask Wherefore thy steps I task, grove, the stream, the hamlet-vale to trace ; 'Tis that some thought of me, When I am gone, may be The spirit bound to each familiar place. I bid mine image dwell, (Oh! break not thou the spell!) In the deep wood, and by the fountain-side; Thou must not, my belov'd! Rove where we two have rov'd, Forgetting her that in her spring-time died! FAIRY FAVOURS. Give me but Something whereunto I may bind my heart; WOULDST thou wear the gift of immortal bloom? Wouldst thou smile in scorn at the shadowy tomb? When the young all scatter'd like rose-leaves lie. And would not the youth of my soul be gone, The gift that would make me brotherless! Wouldst thou have empire, by sign or spell, Over the mighty in air that dwell? Wouldst thou call the spirits of shore and steep And would not fear, at my coming then, Wouldst thou then read thro' the hearts of those Upon whose faith thou hast sought repose? Wear this rich gem! it is charm'd to show When a change comes over affection's glow; Look on its flushing or fading hue, And learn if the trusted be false or true! |