Oh dearest, dearest boy! my heart Of what from thee I learn. : . LINES Written at a small distance from my House, and sent by my little boy to the person to whom they are addressed. It is the first mild day of March: Each minute sweeter than before, The red-breast sings from the tall larch That stands beside our door. There is a blessing in the air, Which seems a sense of joy to yield To the bare trees, and mountains bare, My Sister! ('tis a wish of mine) Now that our morning meal is done, Make haste, your morning task resign; Edward will come with you, and pray, And bring no book, for this one day No joyless forms shall regulate Our living Calendar : We from to-day, my friend, will date The opening of the year. Love, now an universal birth, From heart to heart is stealing, From earth to man, from man to earth, --It is the hour of feeling. One moment now may give us more Than fifty years of reason; Our minds shall drink at every pore Some silent laws our hearts may make, Which they shall long obey; We for the year to come may take Our temper from to-day. And from the blessed power that rolls About, below, above; We'll frame the measure of our souls, They shall be tuned to love. Then come, my sister! come, I pray, With speed put on your woodland dress, And bring no book; for this one day We'll give to idleness. The FEMALE VAGRANT. By Derwent's side my Father's cottage stood, One field, a flock, and what the neighbouring flood Or watch'd his lazy boat still less'ning more and more. |