A shaded pathway, where my feet
Bruised mint and fennel savouring sweet;
And following close my gracious guide,
Found me ere long within a wide
Secluded lawn, a sweet resort
Where Mirth held joyously high court
In care-spurned ease for full enjoyment
Of life’s glad gifts, undashed by cloyment
Or surfeit or revolt. Amazed
I stood awhile, mine eyesight dazed.740
For erst or since, ne’er men I ween
So like winged angels, eyes have seen.
IV
Herein the Lover tells of Gladness:
A dame is she who, casting sadness
To the wild winds, doth nought but play
And carol through the livelong day.
The song of Gladness
E’en as I came within the close,
A glorious burst of song uprose;
For one, whose name was Gladness, loud
And clear-voiced sang amid the crowd750
Foregathered there; full well she knew
To modulate her tones with due
And gentle cadence, now to fall
And now to rise high over all.
Her note was clear as silver bell.
And, gently swaying, rose and fell
Her supple form, the while her feet
Kept measured time with perfect beat:
