And on that cheek and o'er that brow A mind at peace with all below, A heart whose love is innocent. Lord Byron CLXXIV HE was a phantom of delight Shea has she gleam'd upon my sight; A lovely apparition, sent To be a moment's ornament; Her eyes as stars of twilight fair; I saw her upon nearer view, Her household motions light and free, A countenance in which did meet And now I see with eye serene The very pulse of the machine; A being breathing thoughtful breath, To warn, to comfort, and command; And yet a Spirit still, and bright With something of an angel-light. W. Wordsworth CLXXV HE is not fair to outward view SHE is not fair to outwa Her loveliness I never knew O then I saw her eye was bright, But now her looks are coy and cold, Than smiles of other maidens are. CLXXVI H. Coleridge I FEAR thy kisses, gentle maiden; Thou needest not fear mine; My spirit is too deeply laden Ever to burthen thine. I fear thy mien, thy tones, thy motion; Innocent is the heart's devotion With which I worship thine. P. B. Shelley SHE CLXXVII THE LOST LOVE HE dwelt among the untrodden ways A maid whom there were none to praise, A violet by a mossy stone She lived unknown, and few could know When Lucy ceased to be; But she is in her grave, and O! The difference to me! W. Wordsworth CLXXVIII I TRAVELL'D among unknown men In lands beyond the sea; Nor, England! did I know till then What love I bore to thee. 'Tis past, that melancholy dream! Nor will I quit thy shore To love thee more and more. Among thy mountains did I feel The joy of my desire; And she I cherish'd turn'd her wheel Thy mornings show'd, thy nights conceal'd The bowers where Lucy play'd; And thine too is the last green field That Lucy's eyes survey'd. W. Wordsworth CLXXIX THE EDUCATION OF NATURE she grew in sun and shower; THREE years said, lovelier flower On earth was never sown : This child I to myself will take; She shall be mine, and I will make 'Myself will to my darling be Both law and impulse: and with me The girl, in rock and plain In earth and heaven, in glade and bower To kindle or restrain. 'She shall be sportive as the fawn And her's shall be the breathing balm, "The floating clouds their state shall lend To her; for her the willow bend; Nor shall she fail to see E'en in the motions of the storm Grace that shall mould the maiden's form By silent sympathy. 'The stars of midnight shall be dear To her; and she shall lean her ear In many a secret place Where rivulets dance their wayward round, And beauty born of murmuring sound 'And vital feelings of delight Shall rear her form to stately height, Her virgin bosom swell; Such thoughts to Lucy I will give While she and I together live Here in this happy dell.' Thus Nature spake - The work was done — How soon my Lucy's race was run! She died, and left to me This heath, this calm and quiet scene; The memory of what has been, And never more will be. W. Wordsworth A CLXXX SLUMBER did my spirit seal; She seem'd a thing that could not feel The touch of earthly years. |