The violets of five seasons reappear For ever; and I saw the sparkling foam, And-with my cheek on one of those green stones That, fleeced with moss, beneath the shady trees, Lay round me, scattered like a flock of sheep- The heart luxuriates with indifferent things, And dragged to earth both branch and bough, with crash And merciless ravage; and the shady nook Of hazels, and the green and mossy bower, Their quiet being and, unless I now Then, dearest Maiden, move along these shades A PORTRAIT. SHE was a Phantom of delight When first she gleamed upon my sight A lovely Apparition, sent To be a moment's ornament; Her eyes as stars of twilight fair; Like twilight's, too, her dusky hair; But all things else about her drawn I saw her upon nearer view, A Spirit, yet a Woman too! Her household motions, light and free, A countenance in which did meet And now I see with eye serene THE HORN OF EGREMONT CASTLE. WHEN the Brothers reached the gateway, To the Horn which there was hanging; Horn it was which none could sound, No one upon living ground, Save He who came as rightful Heir To Egremont's Domains and Castle fair. Heirs from ages without record Had the House of Lucie born, Who of right had claimed the Lordship By the proof upon the Horn : Each at the appointed hour Tried the Horn,-it owned his power; He was acknowledged and the blast, : Which good Sir Eustace sounded, was the last. With his lance Sir Eustace pointed, And to Hubert thus said he : "What I speak this Horn shall witness For thy better memory. Hear, then, and neglect me not! At this time, and on this spot, The words are uttered from my heart, As my last carnest prayer ere we depart. |