VII. She was a Phantom of delight 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. And now I see with eye serene The very pulse of the machine; VIII. O NIGHTINGALE! thou surely art A Creature of ebullient heart : These notes of thine-they pierce and pierce; Tumultuous harmony and fierce! Thou sing'st as if the God of wine I heard a Stock-dove sing or say His homely tale, this very day. Yet to be come at by the breeze : IX. THREE years she grew in sun and shower, This Child I to myself will take; "Myself will to my darling be Both law and impulse: and with me In earth and heaven, in glade and bower, To kindle or restrain. "She shall be sportive as the Fawn That wild with glee across the lawn Or up the mountain springs; And hers shall be the breathing balm, And hers the silence and the calm "The floating Clouds their state shall lend To her; for her the willow bend; Nor shall she fail to see Even in the motions of the Storm Grace that shall mould the Maiden's form By silent sympathy. "The Stars of midnight shall be dear To her; and she shall lean her ear In many a secret place Where Rivulets dance their wayward round, " And vital feelings of delight Her virgin bosom swell; Such thoughts to Lucy I will give While she and I together live Here in this happy Dell." |