through the atmosphere. A warmer breath is felt upon the breeze. A multitude of new feelings seem struggling in the breast to have free developement, and in fact the whole humanity appeareth to take on itself a character perfectly distinct from that which it had previously worn. Nature now whispereth in the ear a secret unthought of hitherto ; and all the man riseth at the intelligence, filled with a mysterious influence-a sense of happiness and power-and a knowledge of that sweet philosophy whose right use maketh a very Eden of delight to the Adams and Eves of every passing generation. Anne Hathaway received the advances of her youthful lover so welcomingly, that he lacked nothing of inducement to proceed. Indeed, her's was not a disposition to withstand the passionate ardour of so prepossessing a wooer, and from the first hour of their meeting, she had regarded him with most favourable sentiments. It was some time after the May-day festival that the blooming Anne, as was customary with her, sat plying of her wheel in her old place, whilst her youthful lover, as was usual with him, had drawn a seat close to hers, having his arm resting on the back of her chair. Some exquisite speeches and passionate admiring looks from him, were followed by a sufficiency of sprightly answers and bright provoking glances from her. Thus had their mutual passion advanced and no further, but it was soon to shew more endearing signs. "Canst affect verses, Anne?" enquired the young poet. 66 Ay, a sweet love song, of all things,” replied the village beauty, in her ordinary free-hearted way. "Wouldst approve of them any the more if thou wert their subject?" asked he. "Should I not?" answered she, archly. "Marry, I must needs think them the finest, sweetest verses ever writ." "But "I have essayed the writing of some," continued her youthful lover, in a more tender manner. I am rather out of heart I have not produced a poem more worthy of thy exceeding merit.” "Hast, indeed, written something of me?" exclaimed the yeoman's buxom daughter, glancing at him a look of infinite curiosity and pleasure. "O' my word, now, I should be right glad to see it.” "If thou wilt promise to pardon my too great boldness, I will here read these, my poor verses," said the young poet. His companion was too eager to know what could he have written about her, to care much what she promised; so, whilst she sent her wheel round very diligently, her youthful lover drew a paper from beneath his doublet, and soon, with an exquisite impassioned manner, and soft mellow voice-somewhat tremulous here and there-he commenced reading what is here set down. LOVE'S ARGOSIE. "Awhile ago I passed an idle life Like as a leaf that's borne upon the breeze; Or the young bird, of hawk, among the trees. "I saw the bounteous hand of Nature fling Her princely largess over each green place; I saw the blushes of the tender Spring Hiding within the Summer's warm embrace; I saw the burthened Autumn fast expiring, And Winter, in the year's grave, make a cheerful firing. "Yet all the time was I as blind as mole Who digs his habitation in the dark, Though light there was, it fell not on my soul, A fire burned bravely that shewed me no spark; Whilst all owned Nature's spells, I saw no charming, And still kept cold whilst others were a warming. "When suddenly mine eyes threw ope their doors And sunny looks flashed in their fond desires; The chambers of my heart found glowing floors For there each hearth blazed with continual fires : I saw the magic, felt the bliss 'twas bringing, And knew the source whence these delights were springing. "For then it was indifference met its death, And my new life new climates seemed to seek ; The sweet South flung its odours from thy breath, And the warm East came blushing o'er thy cheek. Thy smiles were endless Summer's rosy dances, And the soft zone shone in thy torrid glances. "And as thy wondrous beauty I beheld, A thousand unknown raptures on me came ; The flood of life, by some strange power impelled, Rushed through its channels, turned to liquid flame': And then with me there seemed such blooming weather As though all seasons shower'd their flowers together. "And as I basked in thy subduing gaze, And caught the thrilling spirit of thy smile; I marvelled I had lived so many days, So blind, so cold, so ignorant the while; "Certes," quoth I, I've been in far off places, Else had I sooner known such moving graces.' "Ay-in strange latitudes and unknown waves, "To turn discovery to best account, I studied every feature of the land; I scanned where'er the highest fruit could mount, And every where such heaps of sweets were growing, "Then having this bright world so newly found, And learned its fitness for an honest home, Must I be now on a fresh voyage bound Again in unknown latitudes to roam ? Oh might I name it, hold it, own it, rather, "Dear beart! sweet life! most admirable fair saint! To thee my soul its fond devotion brings, Like a poor pilgrim weary, worn, and faint To taste the comfort which thy beauty brings : But a kind solace that should come to bless That heart whose blessings thou hast not refused, I see in it a promise and a token Of flowery bands that never can be broken. "And now like those bold mariners of ships, 66 That from all ports do take their merchandize, My bark would I unlade upon thy lips Which awhile since I freighted at thine eyes. Yet e'er from such kind port my sails are fading, Doubt not I bear away a richer lading. Bring here the ivory of thy fair arms, And lustrous jewels which thine eyelids hold, The silky treasures which thy brows enfold; The choicest traffic brought from loving isles- That fills thy tempting treasury of smiles : It was scarce possible to have met with a prettier sight than the yeoman's blooming daughter listening, with her eyes sparkling unutterable pleasure, as the young poet read to her her tuneful praises. The |