His words came feebly, from a feeble chest, Of ordinary men; a stately speech; Such as grave Livers do in Scotland use, Religious men, who give to God and man their dues. 98 He told, that to these waters he had come moor; Housing, with God's good help, by choice or chance, And in this way he gained an honest mainte nance. 105 The old Man still stood talking by my side; And the whole body of the Man did seem ment. 112 My former thoughts returned: the fear that And hope that is unwilling to be fed; "How is it that you live, and what is it you do?" 119 He with a smile did then his words repeat; And said, that, gathering leeches, far and wide He travelled; stirring thus about his feet The waters of the pools where they abide. "Once I could meet with them on every side; But they have dwindled long by slow decay; Yet still I persevere, and find them where I may." While he was talking thus, the lonely place, 126 The old Man's shape, and speech-all troubled me: In my mind's eye I seemed to see him pace About the weary moors continually, renewed. And soon with this he other matter blended, 133 66 But stately in the main; and when he ended, I could have laughed myself to scorn, to find In that decrepit Man so firm a mind. God," said I, "be my help and stay secure; I'll think of the Leech-gatherer on the lonely A SENSITIVE Plant in a garden grew, And the Spring arose on the garden fair, Rose from the dreams of its wintry rest. But none ever trembled and panted with bliss In the garden, the field, or the wilderness, Like a doe in the noontide with love's sweet want, As the companionless Sensitive Plant. The snowdrop, and then the violet, Arose from the ground with warm rain wet, 8 13 And their breath was mixed with fresh odor, sent From the turf, like the voice and the instru ment. Then the pied wind-flowers and the tulip tall, 16 20 And the Naiad-like lily of the vale, And the hyacinth purple, and white, and blue, Which flung from its bells a sweet peal anew Of music so delicate, soft, and intense, 24 It was felt like an odor within the sense; 28 And the rose like a nymph to the bath addrest, Which unveiled the depth of her glowing breast, Till, fold after fold, to the fainting air The soul of her beauty and love lay bare: 32 And the wand-like lily, which lifted up, Gazed through clear dew on the tender sky; 36 And the jessamine faint, and the sweet tuberose, The sweetest flower for scent that blows; And all rare blossoms from every clime And on the stream whose inconstant bosom blossom, With golden and green light, slanting through Their heaven of many a tangled hue, Broad water-lilies lay tremulously, 40 44 With a motion of sweet sound and radiance. 48 And the sinuous paths of lawn and of moss, Which led through the garden, along and across, Some open at once to the sun and the breeze, Some lost among bowers of blossoming trees, 52 Were all paved with daisies and delicate bells dew. And from this undefiled Paradise The flowers (as an infant's awakening eyes 57 61 |