AS YOU LIKE IT 

 Here while I read the light forsakes the pane; Metempsychosis of the twilight gray— Into green aisles of Epping or Ardenne The level lines of print stretch far away. 

Metempsychosis of the twilight gray—

The level lines of print stretch far away.

 The book-leaves whisper like the forest-leaves; A smell of ancient woods, a breeze of morn, A breath of violets from the mossy paths And hark! the voice of hounds—the royal horn, 

A smell of ancient woods, a breeze of morn,

And hark! the voice of hounds—the royal horn,

 Which, muffled in the ferny coverts deep, Utters the three sweet notes that sound recall; As, riding two by two between the oaks, Come on the paladins and ladies all. 

Utters the three sweet notes that sound recall;

Come on the paladins and ladies all.

 The court will rest from chase in this smooth glade That slopes to meet yon little rushy stream, Where in the shallows nod the arrow-heads, And the blue flower-de-luce's banners gleam. 

That slopes to meet yon little rushy stream,

And the blue flower-de-luce's banners gleam.

 The gamekeepers are coupling of the hounds; The pages hang bright scarfs upon the boughs; The new-slain quarry lies upon the turf Whereon but now he with the herd did browse. 

The pages hang bright scarfs upon the boughs;

Whereon but now he with the herd did browse.

 The silk pavilion shines among the trees; The mighty pasties and the flagons strong Give cheer to the dear heart of many a knight, And many a dame whose beauty lives in song. 

The mighty pasties and the flagons strong

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