This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
26
A FLOATING REVERIE.
Patience, O heart! catch the Summer's breath,
Drink in her vanishing sweet;
Calm thou wilt gain for thy stormy unrest,
Victory out of defeat.

Dying is only a change of life,
Death must live or life will die;
Sorrow but gladness with visor closed,
Darkness but fault of the eye.

What is the witchery, perfect day,
Over the wood and hill?
What is thy sorcery fair Lake Side
Subtle and sacred and still?

Shoreward I turn with reluctant oar,
Saddened, but sad with joy;
Joy for the beauty that brought me tears,
Tears devoid of annoy.

Lake Side, August, 1873.