V. So late from Heaven-that dew-it fell ('Mid dreams of an unholy night) Upon me with the touch of Hell, While the red flashing of the light From clouds that hung, like banners, o'er, The battle-cry of Victory! VI. The rain came down upon my head Unshelter'd-and the heavy wind Render'd me mad, and deaf, and blind. The torrent of the chilly air Of empires-with the captive's prayer, The hum of suitors, and the tone Of flattery round a sovereign's throne. VII. My passions, from that hapless hour, Have deem'd, since I have reach'd to power, But, father, there lived one who, then, Then-in my boyhood—when their fire Burn'd with a still intenser glow (For passion must with youth expire) E'en then who knew this iron heart In woman's weakness had a part. VIII. I have no words, alas! to tell Some page of early lore upon, IX. Oh, she was worthy of all love! Love-as in infancy was mine 'Twas such as angel minds above Might envy; her young heart the shrine On which my every hope and thought Were incense-then a goodly gift, For they were childish and uprightPure as her young example taught: Why did I leave it, and, adrift, Trust to the fire within, for light? We grew X. in age and love together, Roaming the forest and the wild ; And, when the friendly sunshine smiled, XI. Young Love's first lesson is the heart: For 'mid that sunshine, and those smiles, When, from our little cares apart, And laughing at her girlish wiles, There was no need to speak the rest— Of her who ask'd no reason why, But turn'd on me her quiet eye! XII. Yet more than worthy of the love XIII. I had no being but in thee: In the earth, the air, the sea, Its joy its little lot of pain That was new pleasure, the ideal, Dim, vanities of dreams by night, And dimmer nothings which were real— (Shadows-and a more shadowy light!) Parted upon their misty wings, And, so, confusedly, became Thine image and -a name-a name! Two separate, yet most intimate things. XIV. I was ambitious-have you known The passion, father? You have not: A cottager, I mark'd a throne Of half the world as all my own, And murmur'd at such lowly lot But, just like any other dream, My own had past, did not the beam Of beauty which did while it through The minute, the hour, the day-oppress My mind with double loveliness. We walk'd together on the crown Of a high mountain which look'd down Of rock and forest, on the hills The dwindled hills! begirt with bowers And shouting with a thousand rills. K |