Ah! piteous sight it was to see this Man Down would he sit; and without strength or power Great wonder to our gentle Tribe it was With him there often walked in friendly guise, Profound his forehead was, though not severe; Yet some did think that he had little business here: Sweet heaven forefend! his was a lawful right; His limbs would toss about him with delight He would have taught you how you might employ Expedients, too, of simplest sort he tried: Long blades of grass, plucked round him as he lay, Made to his ear attentively applied A Pipe on which the wind would deftly play; The mysteries that cups of flowers enfold, And all the gorgeous sights which fairies do behold. He would entice that other Man to hear His music, and to view his imagery: And, sooth, these two did love each other dear, As far as love in such a place could be; If but a bird, to keep them company, Or butterfly sate down, they were, I ween, As pleased as if the same had been a Maiden Queen. VII. · LOUISA.' I MET Louisa in the shade; That she is ruddy, fleet, and strong; And she hath smiles to earth unknown; Smiles, that with motion of their own Do spread, and sink, and rise; That come and go with endless play, And ever, as they pass away, Are hidden in her eyes. She loves her fire, her Cottage-home; Yet o'er the moorland will she roam And, when against the wind she strains, Take all that's mine "beneath the moon," If I with her but half a noon May sit beneath the walls Of some old cave, or mossy nook, VIII. STRANGE fits of passion I have known: And I will dare to tell, But in the Lover's ear alone, What once to me befel. When she I loved was strong and gay, And like a rose in June, I to her cottage bent my way, Upon the Moon I fixed my eye, All over the wide lea; My Horse trudged on and we drew nigh Those paths so dear to me. And now we reached the orchard plot; And as we climbed the hill, Towards the roof of Lucy's cot The Moon descended still. |