Where meditation was. I turned away, He ceased. Ere long the sun declining shot A slant and mellow radiance, which began To fall upon us, while, beneath the trees, We sate on that low bench: and now we felt, Admonished thus, the sweet hour coming on. A linnet warbled from those lofty elms, A thrush sang loud, and other melodies, At distance heard, peopled the milder air. The Old Man rose, and, with a sprightly mien Of hopeful preparation, grasped his staff : Together casting then a farewell look Upon those silent walls, we left the shade ; And, ere the stars were visible, had reached A village Inn,—our evening resting-place. "MY HEART LEAPS UP.” My heart leaps up when I behold Or let me die! The Child is Father of the Man ; TO A BUTTERFLY. STAY near me-do not take thy flight! A little longer stay in sight! Much converse do I find in Thee, Historian of my Infancy! Float near me; do not yet depart ! Dead times revive in thee: Thou bring'st, gay Creature as thou art ! A solemn image to my heart, My Father's Family! Oh! pleasant, pleasant were the days, Upon the prey :—with leaps and springs THE SPARROW'S NEST. BEHOLD, within the leafy shade, The home and sheltered bed, The Sparrow's dwelling, which, hard by My Father's house, in wet or dry Together visited. She looked at it as if she feared it; A little Prattler among men. She gave me eyes, she gave me ears; And love, and thought, and joy. |