THE POET TO NATURE. FAR in the silence of the flowery west, To me, thy child and worshipper, thine own! Of the shy ouzel's nest; And there I found Thee, queen and goddess, most supremely crown'd With leafy loveliness. The calmness of a silver sunset fell Upon thine eyes, so turn'd to amethyst, Smiling on me; and, first in that green dell, I felt thy fingers press My brows with ivy bound. MUSIC. BEFORE the clavichord Stately she sat, and from her fine lips pour'd The song I love so well : Fair is she, yet I could afford To lose those deep eyes where clear violets dwell, And, in a whirl of sound, To gain the heaven where her young spirit soar'd, Forgetful of the ground. Music, thy noblest servant, Israfel, Feels not his lyre-heart more divinely bound At seraph-chaunts, than I to hear That passionate rondel throb with hope and fear! THE LIGHT OF DEATH. LIFE lay long lingering in her heaven-lit eyes; Her breast heav'd not Responding to our sighs, Nor did her lips speak aught; Yet we, with glad surprise, In soft faint whispers thus our fears allay'd :— “Our love she knoweth, and therein she liveth ; The Power that lent her life now giveth A light unto her eyes that ne'er shall fade!" And when it failed from me, Leaving its semblance in my mind for ever, How thou returnedst, Hope, to cease, oh! never THE ANGEL OF THE ANNUNCIATION. STILL, with the lightning speed of his swift flight, The rainbows of his wings Vibrated, and his hair bore still the light That shone around it in those mansions bright, On one knee to the Virgin fair he bent, And, in a low clear voice of silver chord, Wherewith he had been sent; A choral murmur of rich music blent With the faint echo; then from her rapt sight SUNSET AND DAWN. I. THE SUNSET. "GIVE us thy peace, O Lord!" Lov'd lips deal mild reproof Unto their worldly care, Their flitting faith, unfix'd, Their trust with doubting mix'd; Then, weary and convicted, they Their burdens at His feet did lay, Whom they in earnest, tearful tones implor'd: "Give us thy peace, O Lord!" Ah, ne'er canst thou, nor I, dear love, |