To fancy seem, in that strange solitude, Like the wild brethren of some lawless band. One,snatching from the heap a blazing bough, Would, like lone maniac, from the rest retire, And, as he waved it, mutter deep a vow, His head encircled with a wreath of fire. Others, with rushing haste, and eager voice, Would drag new victims to the insatiate power,
That like a savage idol did rejoice Whate'er his suppliants offer'd to devour. And aye strange murmurs o'er the mountains roll'd,
As if from sprite immured in cavern lone, While higher rose pale Luna to behold Our mystic orgies, where no light had shone, For many and many a year of silence-but her own.
O! gracious Goddess! not in vain did shine Thy spirit o'er the heavens; with reverent eye We hail'd thee floating through the happy sky;
No smiles to us are half so dear as thine! Silent we stood beside our dying flame, In pensive sadness, born of wild delight, And gazing heavenward many a gentle name Bestow'd on her who beautifies the night. Then, with one heart, like men who inly mourn'd,
Slowly we paced towards our fairy-cell, And ere we enter'd for one moment turn'd And bade the silent majesty farewell! Our rushy beds invite us to repose; And while our spirits breathe a grateful
In balmy slumbers soon our eyelids close, While, in our dreams, the Moon, serenely fair,
Still bathes in light divine the visionary air!
Methinks, next night, I see her mount her throne, Intent with loving smile once more to hail The deep, deep peace of this her loneliest vale;
-But where hath now the magic dwelling flown?
Oh! it hath melted like a dream away, A dream by far too beautiful for earth; Or like a cloud that hath no certain stay, But ever changing, like a different birth. The aged holly-trees more silently, Now we are gone, stand on the silent ground; I seem to hear the streamlet floating by With a complaining, melancholy sound. Hush'd are the echoes in each mountain's breast,
No traces there of former mirth remain ; They all in friendly grandeur lie at rest And silent, save where Nature's endless strain,
From cataract and cave, delights her lonely reign.
Yet, though the strangers and their tent have past
Away, like snow that leaves no mark behind, Their image lives in many a guiltless mind, And long within the shepherd's cot shall last. Oft when, on winter-night, the crowded seat | Is closely wheel'd before the blazing fire, Then will he love with grave voice to repeat (He, the gray-headed venerable sire) The conversation he with us did hold On moral subjects, he had studied long; And some will gibe the maid who was so bold
As sing to strangers readily a song. Then they unto each other will recal Each little incident of that strange night, And give their kind opinion of us all: God bless their faces smiling in the light Of their own cottage-hearth! O, fair sub- duing sight!
Friends of my heart! who shared that purest joy, And oft will read these lines with soften'd soul,
Go where we will, let years of absence roll, Nought shall our sacred amity destroy. We walk'd together through the mountaincalm,
In open confidence, and perfect trust; And pleasure, falling through our breasts like balm,
Told that the yearnings that we felt were just. No slighting tone, no chilling look e'er marr'd The happiness in which our thoughts reposed, No words save those of gentleness were heard,
The eye spoke kindly when the lip was closed.
But chief, on that blest day that wakes my song,
Our hearts eternal truth in silence swore: The holy oath is planted deep and strong Within our spirits,—in their inmost coreAnd it shall blossom fair till life shall be no more!
Most hallow'd day! Your tender light by
scarce can my heart sustain memory made more mild; Tears could I shed even like unto a child And sighs within my spirit hush the strain Too many clouds have dimm'd my youthfui life,
These wakeful eyes too many vigils kept; Mine hath it been to toss in mental strife, When in the moonlight breathing Nature slept.
But I forget my cares, in bliss forget, When, peaceful Valley! I remember thee; I seem to breathe the air of joy, and yet Thy bright'ning hues with moisten'd cy‹• I see.
So will it be, till life itself doth close, Roam though I may o'er many a distant clime;
Happy, or pining in unnoticed woes, Oft shall my soul recal that blessed time, And in her depths adore the beauteous and sublime!
Time that my rural reed at last should
Its willing numbers; not in vain hath flow'd The strain that on my singing heart bestow'd The holy boon of undisturbed peace. O gentlest Lady! Sister of my friend, This simple strain I consecrate to thee; Haply its music with thy soul may blend, Albeit well used to loftier minstrelsy. Nor may thy quiet spirit read the lay With cold regard, thou wife and mother blest! For he was with me on that Sabbath-day, Whose heart lies buried in thy inmost breast. Then go my innocent and blameless tale, In gladness go, and free from every fear, To you sweet dwelling above Grassmere-vale, And be to them I long have held so dear, One of their fire-side-songs, still fresh from year to year!
And green the turf as their Elfin-dresses. Aye the water o'er the Linn Was mocking, with a gleesome din, The small shrill laughter, as it broke In peals from these night-wandering Folk; While the stream danced on with a tinkling tune,
All happy to meet by a blink o' the moon. Now laughing louder than before, They strove to deaden that ceaseless roar; And, when vanquished was the waterfall, Loudly they shouted, one and all, Like the chorus of a Madrigal,
Till the glen awoke from its midnight trance, And o'er the hills in flight-like dance, Was all the troop of echoes driven, This moment on earth, and that in heaven.
From the silent heart of a hollow Yew, The Owl sailed forth with a loud halloo;
And his large yellow eyes looked bright With wonder, in the wan moonlight, As hovering white, and still as snow, He caught a glance of the things below, All burning on the bridge like fire In the sea-green glow of their wild attire. Halloo! Halloo! tu-whit! tu-whoo! Cried the gleesome Elves,and away they flew, With mimic shriek, sob, cry, and howl, In headlong chase of the frightened Owl. With many a buffet they drove him onward, Now hoisted him up, now pressed him downward; They pulled at his horns, and with many a tweak,
Around and around they screwed his beak; On his back they beat with a birch-spray flail,
And they tore the long feathers from his tail;
Then, like warriors mounted in their pride, Behind his wings behold them ride! And shouting, charge unto the war, Each waving his soft plume-scymitar; A war of laughter, not of tears, The wild-wood's harmless Cuirassiers.
Through the depth of Ivy on the wall (The sole remains of old Greystock Hall) The Screamer is driven, half scared to death; And the gamesome Fairies, all out of breath,
Their tiny robes in the air arranging, And kisses in their flight exchanging, Now slowly with the soft wind stealing Right onwards, round about now wheeling, Like leaves blown off in gusty weather, To the rainbow-bridge all flock together; And lo! on the green moss all alight, Like a cluster of Goldfinches mingling bright.
What feats the Fairy-Creatures played! Now seeming of the height afraid, And, folding the moss in fast embraces, They peeped o'er the bridge with their love- ly faces.
Now hanging like the fearless flowers By their tiny arms in the cataract - showers, Swung back and forward with delight, Like pearls in the spray-shower burning bright!
Then they dropt at once into the pool— A moment gone! then beautiful Ascending on slow-hovering wing, As if with darkness dallying, They rose again, through the smiling air, To their couch of moss and flow'rets fair, And rooted lay in silence there.
Down into the gulf profound Slid the stream without a sound! A charm had hushed the thundering shocks, And stillness steeped the blackened rocks.
'Twas fit, where these fair things were lying, No sound, save of some Zephyr sighing, Should stir the gentle Solitude! The mountain's night-voice was subdued To far-off music faint and dim, From Nature's heart a holy hymn! Nor was that Universal Strain Through Fairy-bosoms breathed in vain; Entranced in joy the Creatures lay, Listening the music far away, Till One the deep'ning silence broke, And thus in song-like murmurs spoke.
Soon as the lingering Sun was gone, I sailed away from my sparry throne, Mine own cool, silent, glimmering dwelling, Below the roots of the huge Hylvellyn. As onwards like a thought I flew, From my wings fast fell the pearly dew, Sweet tiny orbs of lucid ray Rising and setting on my way, As if I had been some Planet fair, That ruled its own bright atmosphere. O beauteous sight! the Shepherd cried, To the Shepherd slumbering at his side, Look where the Mountain-Fairy flies! But ere he had opened his heavy eyes, I had flown o'er Grassmere's moonlight-flood, And the rustling swing of old Rydal-Wood, And sunk down 'mid the heather-bells On the shady side of sweet Furness-Fells. 'Twas but one soft wave o' my wing! A start, and an end to my journeying. One moment's rest in a spot so dear,- For the Moonlight was sleeping on Winder-
And I saw in that long pure streak of light The joy and the sadness of the night, And mine eyes, in sooth, began to fill, So beautiful that Lake-80 still— So motionless its gentle breast— Save where just rocking in their rest, A crowd of water-lilies lay Like stars amid the milky way.
But what had I with the Lake to do? So off to the misty hills I flew, And in dark ravines, and creviced rocks, With my finger I counted my thousand flocks, And each little Lamb by name I blest, As snow-white they lay in their innocent rest. When I saw some weak cold tottering Lamb Recline 'gainst the side of its pitiful Dam, Who seemed to have some wildering fear Of Death, as of a Foe that was near, I shone like a sunbeam soft and warm Till the fleece lay smooth on its strengthened form,
And the happy Creatures lay down together Like waves on the sea in gentle weather, And in contentment calm and deep Sank faintly-bleating into sleep.
In the soft moonlight-glow I knew Where the herbs that hold the poison
And at the touch of my feathery foot They withered at once both stalk and root; But I shook not the gracious tears of night From the plants most dear to the Shepherd's sight,
And with mellower lustre bade them spring In the yellow round of the Fairy's ring, Till, methought, the hillside smiled afar, With the face of many a verdant Star. I marked the Fox at the mouth of his den, And raised the shadows of Hunter-men, And I bade aërial beagles rave,
And the horn twang through the Felon's cave, Then buried him with Famine in his grave.
The Raven sat upon Langdale-Peak With crusted blood on his ebon-beak, And I dashed him headlong from the steep, While the murderer croaked in his sullen sleep.
Away I sailed by the Eagle's nest And the Eaglets couched warm beneath her breast, But the Shepherd shall miss her cry at
For her eyes are dim and her plumage torn, And I left in their Eyrie the Imps accurst To die in their hunger, and cold, and thirst. All, all is well with my lovely Flocks! And so I dropt suddenly down the rocks, From Loughrig-top, like a falling Star, Seen doubtless through the mists afar By a hundred Shepherds on the Hill Wandering among the Moonlight still, And with folded wings and feet earth-bound I felt myself standing o'er the sound Of this Waterfall, and with joy espied A Sister-Elf at either side!
My Tale is told-nor strange nor newNow, sweet Lady Bright-Eyes! what say you?"
As some wild Night-Flower through the dew Looks to the Moon with freshened hue, When a wandering breath of air Hath lifted up its yellow hair, And its own little glade grows bright At the soft revealment of its light: Upsprung, so sudden and so sweet, The COTTAGE-FAIRY to her feet; And, looking round her with a smile, Silent the Creature paused awhile, Uncertain what glad thoughts should burst In music from her spirit first, Till, like a breath breathed clear from Heaven,
To her at once a voice was given, And through the tune the words arose As through the fragrant dew the leaflets of the Rose,
Sisters! I have seen this night
A hundred Cottage-Fires burn bright, And a thousand happy faces shining In the bursting blaze and the gleam declining. I care not I for the stars above, The lights on earth are the lights I love: Let Venus bless the Evening-air, Uprise at morn Prince Lucifer, But those little tiny stars be mine That through the softened copse-wood shine, With beauty crown the pastoral hill, And glimmer o'er the sylvan rill, Where stands the peasant's ivied nest, And the huge mill-wheel is at rest. From out the honeysuckle's bloom I peeped into that laughing room, Then, like a hail-drop, on the pane Pattering, I stilled the din again, While every startled eye looked up; And, half-raised to her lips the cup, The rosy Maiden's look met mine! But I veiled mine eyes with the silken twine Of the small wild roses clustering thickly; Then to her seat returning quickly; She 'gan to talk with bashful glee Of Fairies 'neath the greenwood-tree Dancing by moonlight, and she blest Gently our silent Land of rest. The Infants playing on the floor,
At these wild words their sports gave o'er, And asked where lived the Cottage-Fairy; The maid replied: She loves to tarry Ofttimes beside our very hearth, And joins in little Children's mirth When they are gladly innocent; And sometimes beneath the leafy tent, That murmurs round our cottage-door, Our overshadowing Sycamore, We see her dancing in a ring, And hear the blessed Creature sing- A Creature full of gentleness, Rejoicing in our happiness.
Then plucked I a wreath with many a gem Burning-a flowery Diadem;
And through the wicket with a glide I slipped, and sat me down beside The youngest of those Infants fair, And wreathed the blossoms round her hair. Who placed these flowers on William's head? His little wondering Sister said, A wreath not half so bright and gay Crowned me, upon the morn of May, Queen of that sunny Holiday, The tiny Monarch laughed aloud With pride among the loving crowd, And, with my shrillest voice, I lent A chorus to their merriment; Then with such murmur as a bee Makes, from a flower-cup suddenly Borne off into the silent sky,
I skimmed away, and with delight Sailed down the calm stream of the night, Till gently, as a flake of Snow, Once more I dropt on earth below,
And girdled, as with a rainbow-zone, The Cot beloved I call mine own.
Sweet Cot! that on the mountain-side Looks to the stars of Heaven with pride, And then flings far its smiling cheer O'er the radiant Isles of Windermere,- Blest! ever blest! thy sheltered roof! Pain, grief, and trouble, stand aloof From the shadow of thy green palm-tree! Let nought from Heaven e'er visit thee, But dews, and rays, and sounds of mirth; And ever may this happy Earth Look happiest round thy small domain! Thee were I ne'er to see again, Methinks that agony and strife Would fall even on a Fairy's life, And nought should ever bless mine eyes Save the dream of that vanished Paradise. The hush'd bee-hives were still as death- And the sleeping doves held fast their breath,
Nestling together on the thatch; With my wing-tip I raised the latch, And there that lovely Lady shone, In silence sitting all alone, Beside the cradle of her Child! And ever as she gazed, she smiled On his calm forehead white as snow; I rock'd the cradle to and fro, As on the broom a Linnet's nest Swings to the mild wind from the west; And oft his little hands and breast, With warm and dewy lips I kist. Sweet Fairy! the glad Mother said, And down she knelt as if she prayed- While glad was I to hear our name Bestowed on such a beauteous frame, And with my wings I hid mine eyes, Till I saw the weeping kneeler rise From her prayer in holy extacies!
The COTTAGE-FAIRY ceased; and Night, That seem'd to feel a calm delight In the breath of that sweet-warbling tongue, Was sad at closing of the song, And all her starry eyne look'd dull, Of late so brightly beautiful; Till on the Fox-glove's topmost cup The FAIRY OF THE LAKE leapt up, And with that gorgeous column swinging, By fits a low wild prelude singing, And gracefully on tip-toe standing, With outstretched arm, as if commanding, The beauty of the Night again Revived beneath her heavenly strain.- Low, sad, and wild, were the tones I heard, Like the opening song of the hidden bird, Ere music steeps th' Italian vales From the heart of a thousand nightingales; But words were none; the balmy air Grew vocal round that Elfin fair, And, like her fragrant breath, the song Dropp'd dewily from that sweet tongue,
But 'twas a language of her own, To grosser human sense unknown; And while in blissful reverie My soul lived on that melody,
In a moment all as death was still: Then, like an echo in a hill Far off one melancholy strain! Too heavenly pure to rise again,— And all alone the dreamer stood Beside the disenchanted flood, That rolled the rocky banks along With its own dall, slow, mortal song. -What wafted off the Fairies? hush! The storm comes down the glen-crush— crush-
And as the blackening rain-cloud broke, The pine-tree groans to the groaning oak ! Thunder is in the waving wood- And from Rydal-mere's white-flashing flood There comes through the mist an angry roar, Loud as from the great sea-shore. Well, I ween, the Fairies knew The clouds that the sudden tempest brew, And had heard far-off the raging rills, As they leapt down from a hundred hills,- And the ghostlike moan that wails and raves From the toppling crags and the sable caves,— Ere the night-storm in his wrath doth come, And bids each meaner sound be dumb- So they sailed away to the land of rest, Each to the spot that it loved the best, And left our noisy world!
WRITTEN ON READING THE MEMOIRS OF MISS ELISABETH SMITH.
The slighting word, through heedlessness
Wounding the spirit that it ought to cheer, Lie buried in the grave! or if they live, Remembrance only wakes them to forgive; While vice and error steal a soft relief From the still twilight of a mellowing grief. And oh! how lovely do the tints return Of every virtue sleeping in the urn! Each grace that fleeted unobserved away, Starts into life when those it deck'd decay; Regret fresh beauty on the corse bestows, And self-reproach is mingled with our woes.
But nobler sorrows lift the musing mind, When soaring spirits leave their frames behind,
Who walked the world in Nature's generous pride,
And, like a sun-beam, lighten'd as they died! Hope, resignation, the sad soul beguile, And Grief's tear drops 'mid Faith's celestial smile:
Then burns our being with a holy mirth That owns no kindred with this mortal earth; For hymning angels in blest vision wave Their wings' bright glory o'er the seraph's grave!
Oh thou! whose soul unmoved by earthly strife,
Led by the pole-star of eternal life, Own'd no emotion stain'd by touch of clay, No thought that angels might not pleased survey;
Thou! whose calm course through Virtue's fields was run From youth's fair morning to thy setting
PEACE to the dead! the voice of Nature Nor vice e'er dared one little clond to roll O'er the bright beanty of thy spotless soul; Thou! who secure in good works strong to
cries, Even o'er the grave where guilt or frailty lies; Compassion drives each sterner thought
And all seem good when mouldering in the clay.
For who amid the dim religious gloom, The solemn Sabbath brooding o'er the tomb, The holy stillness that suspends our breath When the soul rests within the shade of death,
What heart could then withhold the pensive sigh
Reflection pays to poor mortality, Nor sunk in pity near allied to love, E'en bless the being we could ne'er approve! The headstrong will with innocence at strife, The restless passions that deform'd his life, Desires that spurn'd at reason's weak controul, And dimm'd the native lustre of the soul, The look repulsive that like ice repress'd The friendly warmth that play'd within the breast,
And in the blooming summer of thy years Scarce feltst regret to leave this vale of tears;
Oh! from thy throne amid the starry skies, List to my words thus interwove with sighs, And if the high resolves, the cherish'd pain That prompt the weak but reverential strain. If love of virtue ardent and sincere Can win to mortal verse a cherub's ear, Bend from thy radiant throne thy form divine,
And make the adoring spirit pure as thine! When my heart muses o'er the long review Of all thy bosom felt, thy reason knew, O'er boundless learning free from boastful pride,
And patience humble though severely tried. Judgment unclouded, passions thrice refined. A heaven-aspiring loftiness of mind,
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