Of o'er-head clouds melting the mirror through. Upon a day, while thus I watch'd, by flew A cloudy Cupid, with his bow and quiver; 890 So plainly character'd, no breeze would shiver The happy chance: so happy, I was fain To follow it upon the open plain, And, therefore, was just going; when, behold! A wonder, fair as any I have told— The same bright face I tasted in my sleep, Smiling in the clear well. My heart did leap Through the cool depth.-It moved as if to flee I started up, when lo! refreshfully, There came upon my face, in plenteous showers, Dew-drops, and dewy buds, and leaves, and flowers, Bathing my spirit in a new delight. Aye, such a breathless honey-feel of bliss Of death, for the fair form had gone again. Clings cruelly to us, like the gnawing sloth On the deer's tender haunches: late, and loth, 900 'Tis scar'd away by slow returning pleasure. With the conquering sun of spring, and left the skies In pity of the shatter'd infant buds, That time thou didst adorn, with amber studs, My hunting cap, because I laugh'd and smil❜d, From place to place, and following at chance, 910 920 930 At last, by hap, through some young trees it struck, And, plashing among bedded pebbles, stuck In the middle of a brook,-whose silver ramble Whence it ran brightly forth, and white did lave And breathe them sighingly among the boughs, 940 950 To sue her gentle ears for whose fair head, Daily, I pluck sweet flowerets from their bed, O charitable echo! hear, and sing This ditty to her !-tell her "-so I stay'd 960 My foolish tongue, and listening, half afraid, Stood stupefied with my own empty folly, Salt tears were coming, when I heard my name Most fondly lipp'd, and then these accents came: 66 Endymion the cave is secreter Than the isle of Delos. Echo hence shall stir No sighs but sigh-warm kisses, or light noise Of thy combing hand, the while it travelling cloys And trembles through my labyrinthine hair.” At that oppress'd I hurried in.-Ah! where Are those swift moments? Whither are they fled ? I'll smile no more, Peona; nor will wed 970 And come instead demurest meditation, To occupy me wholly, and to fashion My pilgrimage for the world's dusky brink. No more will I count over, link by link, My chain of grief: no longer strive to find 980 A half-forgetfulness in mountain wind Blustering about my ears: aye, thou shalt see, What a calm round of hours shall make my days. Already, a more healthy countenance ? By this the sun is setting; we may chance This said, he rose, faint-smiling like a star Through autumn mists, and took Peona's hand: They stept into the boat, and launch'd from land. 990 E |