A wavering of strange purples dimly seen, It gloomed the daisy’s light, the kingcup’s sheen, And drank up sunshine from the vital green. That silent shadow moving on the grass Struck me with terror it should ever pass

And be blank nothing in the coming years Where, in the dreadful shadow of my fears, p. 60Her shrouded form I saw through blurring tears, My Darling’s shrouded form in beauty’s bloom Born with funereal sadness to her tomb.

p. 60

“What idle dreaming,” I abruptly cried: My Lady turned, half startled, at my side, And looked inquiry: I, through shame or pride, Bantered the words as mockery of sense, Mere aimless freak of fostered indolence.

She did not urge me; gentle, wise, and kind! But clasped my hand and talked: her beaming mind Arrayed in brightness all it touched. Behind, Her shadow fell forgot, as she and I Went homeward musing, smiling at the sky.

Thro’ pastures and thro’ fields where corn grew strong; By cottage nests that could not harbour wrong; p. 61Across the bridge where laughed the stream; along The road to where her gabled mansion stood, Old, tall, and spacious, in a massy wood.

p. 61

We loitered toward the porch; but paused meanwhile Where Psyche holds a dial to beguile The hours of sunshine by her golden smile; And holds it like a goblet brimmed with wine, Nigh clad in trails of tangled eglantine.

In the deep peacefulness which shone around My soul was soothed: no darksome vision frowned Before my sight while cast upon the ground Where Psyche’s and My Lady’s shadows lay, Twin graces on the flower-edged gravel way.

I then but yearned for Titian’s glorious power, That I by toiling one devoted hour, p. 62Might check the march of Time, and leave a dower Of rich delight that beauty I could see, For broadening generations yet to be.

p. 62

p. 63VIII. HER GARDEN.

p. 63

The wind that’s good for neither man nor beast Weeks long incessant from the blighting East Drove gloom and havoc through the land and ceased. When swaying mildly over wide Atlantic seas, Bland and dewy soft streamed the Western breeze.

 Prev. P 15/51 next