CONCLUSION. 57 VIII. For lying broad awake I thought of you and Effie dear; With all my strength I prayed for both, and so I felt resigned, IX. I thought that it was fancy, and I listened in my bed, And then did something speak to me - I know not what was said; For great delight and shuddering took hold of all my mind, X. But you were sleeping; and I said, "It's not for them; it's mine." And if it comes three times, I thought, I take it for a sign. ΧΙ. I trust it is. I know So now I think my time is near. XII. And say to Robin a kind word, and tell him not to fret; XIII. O look! the sun begins to rise, the heavens are in a glow; And there I move no longer now, and there his light may shine — Wild flowers in the valley for other hands than mine. XIV. O sweet and strange it seems to me, that ere this day is done And what is life, that we should moan? why make we such ado? XV. Forever and forever, all in a blessed home And there to wait a little while till you and Effie come- THE SEA-FAIRIES. LOW sailed the weary mariners, and saw, SLOW Betwixt the green brink and the running foam, Shrill music reached them on the middle sea. Whither away, whither away, whither away? fly no more. Whither away from the high green field, and the happy blossoming shore ? Day and night to the billow the fountain calls; Down shower the gambolling waterfalls From wandering over the lea: THE SEA-FAIRIES. Out of the live-green heart of the dells They freshen the silvery-crimson shells, And thick with white bells the clover-hill swells O hither, come hither, and furl your sails, Hither, come hither, and frolic and play; For here are the blissful downs and dales, And the rainbow lives in the curve of the sand; And the rainbow hangs on the poising wave, And sweet is the color of cove and cave, And sweet shall your welcome be; O hither, come hither, and be our lords, For merry brides are we! We will kiss sweet kisses, and speak sweet words: O listen, listen, your eyes shall glisten With pleasure and love and jubilee ! O listen, listen, your eyes shall glisten When the sharp, clear twang of the golden chords Runs up the ridgéd sea! Who can light on as happy a shore All the world o'er, all the world o'er? 59 Whither away? listen and stay: mariner, mariner fly no more. THE DESERTED HOUSE. L' I. IFE and Thought have gone away Leaving door and windows wide: Careless tenants they! II. All within is dark as night: And no murmur at the door, III. Close the door, the shutters close, Or through the windows we shall see The nakedness and vacancy Of the dark, deserted house. IV. Come away; no more of mirth Is here or merry-making sound. The house was builded of the earth, And shall fall again to ground. V. Come away; for Life and Thought Here no longer dwell; But in a city glorious A great and distant city - have bought A mansion incorruptible, Would they could have stayed with us. A SK me no more: the moon may draw the sea; The cloud may stoop from heaven and take the shape, With fold to fold, of mountain or of cape; But, O too fond, when have I answered thee? Ask me no more: what answer should I give? |