The youthful sufferer at the winding arbor
A radiant kindly hand doth now caress,
For new-wrought song a faith he still doth harbor,
His eye explores the azure endlessness,
Where ships with lofty scutcheons decked are sailing,
Where others, sleeping helpless, hug the beach
And far where clouds their shining banks are trailing
His fairyland of dreams he fain would reach.
His loved ones’ eyes are gazing fixed in tears:
Shy hath he to the gift divine laid claim
Dewed only as the parting. sorrow nears,
Reft of complaint, and mindless of his fame.
THE GARDENS CLOSE
Early night the even courses swallows,
Chilly drops the ponds are paling,
Happy gods, Dianas and Apollos,
Deep in mist their forms are veiling.
Toward the vaults gray leaves are flying vagrant.
Dahlias, roses, gilliflowers
In constrained, harmonious scent are fragrant,
Near the moss seek restful bowers.
Through the gate hot moons have passed in flying.
Only with thy hope thou fareth?
Art thou still upon those words relying,
Pilgrim, as thy staff thou beareth?
IN THE LOWER WORLD
Ye proud stately halls, so gorgeously dighted,
Know ye not this, what beneath you there be—
By scenes at the shore the lord’s not delighted
As by those that beam in the lap of the sea.
Of houses and courts he alone the deviser
'Neath the feet of the beings imprecated,
Unexampled the crest of the geyser
And grottoes in radiant exub'rance created.
