RURAL ILLUSIONS And think and feel as once the Poet felt. 319 10 RURAL ILLUSIONS Composed 1832.—Published 1835 [Written at Rydal Mount. Observed a hundred times in the grounds there.-I. F.] One of the "Poems of the Fancy.”—ED. SYLPH was it? or a Bird more bright Than those of fabulous stock? A second darted by ;-and lo! 1 1837. Through sunshine flitting from the bough Transient deception! a gay freak Of April's mimicries! Those brilliant strangers, hailed with joy Among the budding trees, 5 10 Proved last year's leaves, pushed from the spray To frolic on the breeze. Maternal Flora! show thy face, And let thy hand be seen, Thy hand here sprinkling tiny flowers,3 Το 15 1835. That, as they touch the green, In honour of their Queen. Yet, sooth, those little starry specks, That not in vain aspired To be confounded with live growths, Were only blossoms dropped from twigs 20 1 (BY MY SISTER) 1 Composed 1832.-Published 1835. [Written at Rydal Mount. It arose, I believe, out of a casual expression of one of Mr. Swinburne's children.—I. F.] One of the "Poems founded on the Affections."-ED. 1 1845. In the former editions of the author's "Miscellaneous Poems" are three pieces addressed to Children :-the following, a few lines excepted, is by the same Writer; and as it H LOVING AND LIKING THERE'S more in words than I can teach : A frog leaps out from bordering grass, In which he swims as taught by nature, Nor blush if o'er your heart be stealing belongs to the same unassuming class of compositions, she has been prevailed upon to consent to its publication. W. W. 1835. By the author of the Poem, "Address to a child, during a boisterous winter evening." 1 1845. A VOL. VII W. W. 1836. 1835. Y The spring's first rose by you espied, Long may you love your pensioner mouse, 40 45 I would not circumscribe your love : 49 It may soar with the eagle and brood with the dove, May pierce the earth with the patient mole, Or track the hedgehog to his hole. Loving and liking are the solace of life, Rock the cradle of joy, smooth the death-bed of strife.3 You love your father and your mother, Your grown-up and your baby-brother; You love your sister, and your friends, And countless blessings which God sends: 55 They foster all joy, and extinguish all strife. 1835. UPON THE LATE GENERAL FAST 323 And while these right affections play, 'Tis love that remains till our latest day : And will be our bliss with saints above. 60 65 UPON THE LATE GENERAL FAST 2 MARCH, 1832 Composed 1832.—Published 1832 One of the "Sonnets dedicated to Liberty and Order.”—ED. RELUCTANT call it was; the rite delayed; And in the Senate some there were who doffed 3 At providential judgments, undismayed Their spirit mounted, crying, "God us aid!" 1 1845. And it will 2 1837. 1835. The title in 1832 was SONNET ON THE LATE GENERAL FAST, MARCH 21, 1832. 3 1840. judgment, 1832. |