These things are, doubtless : yet in truth we've had the end and aim of Poesy. 'Tis clear
Strange thunders from the potency of song ; As any thing most true; as that the year
Mingled indeed with what is sweet and strong, Is made of the four seasons-manifest
From majesty : but in clear truth the themes As a large cross, some old cathedral's crest,
Are ugly cubs, the Poets' Polyphemes

Lifted to the white clouds. Therefore should I
Disturbing the grand sea. A drainless shower Be but the essence of deformity,
Of light is poesy ; 'tis the supreme of power; A coward, did my very eyelids wink
"Tis might half-slumb'ring on its own right arm. At speaking out what I have dared to think
The very archings of her eyelids charm

Ah! rather let me like a madman run A thousand willing agents to obey,

Over some precipice; let the hot sun And still she governs with the mildest sway: Melt my Dedalian wings, and drive me down But strength alone though of the Muses born Convulsed and headlong! Stay! an inward frown Is like a fallen angel : trees uptorn,

Of conscience bids me be more calm awhile. Darkness, and worms, and shrouds, and sepulchres An ocean dim, sprinkled with many an isle, Delight it; for it feeds upon the burrs

Spreads awfully before me. How much toil! And thorns of life ; forgetting the great end How many days! what desperate turmoil ! Of poesy, that it should be a friend

Ere I can have explored its widenesses. To soothe the cares, and lift the thoughts of man. Ah, what a task! upon my bended knees,

I could unsay those~no, impossible

Impossible!
Yet I rejoice : a myrtle fairer than
E’er grew in Paphos, from the bitter weeds
Lifts its sweet head into the air, and feeds

For sweet relief I'll dwell
A silent space with ever-sprouting green.

On humbler thoughts, and let this strange essay All tenderest birds there find a pleasant screen,

Begun in gentleness die so away. Creep through the shade with jaunty futtering, E'en now all tumult from my bosom fades: Nibble the little cupped flowers, and sing. I turn full-hearted to the friendly aids Then let us clear away the choking thorns That smooth the path of honor; brotherhood, From round its gentle stem; let the

young fawns,

And friendliness, the nurse of mutual good. Yeaned in after-times, when we are flown, The hearty grasp that sends a pleasant sonnet Find a fresh sward beneath it, overgrown

Into the brain ere one can think upon it; With simple flowers : let there nothing be

The silence when some rhymes are coming out; More boisterous than a lover's bended knee ; And when they're come, the very pleasant rout. Naught more ungenule than the placid look The message certain to be done tomorrow. Of one who leans upon a closed book;

|"T is perhaps as well that it should be to borrow Naught more untranquil than the grassy slopes Some precious book from out its snug retreat, Between two hills. All hail, delightful hopes ! To cluster round it when we next shall meet. As she was wont, th' imagination

Scarce can I scribble on ; for lovely airs Into most lovely labyrinths will be gone,

Are fluttering round the room like doves in pairs; And they shall be accounted poet kings

Many delights of that glad day recalling, Who simply tell the most heart-easing things. When first my senses caught their tender falling. O may these joys be ripe before I die!

And with these airs come forms of elegance Stooping their shoulders o'er a horse's prance,

Careless, and grand-fingers soft and round Will not some say that I presumptuously

Parting luxuriant curls ;—and the swift bound Have spoken? that from hastening disgrace of Bacchus from his chariot, when his eye "Twere better far to hide my foolish face?

Made Ariadne's cheek look blushingly.
That whining boyhood should with reverence bow Thus I remember all the pleasant flow
Ere the dread thunderbolt could reach ? How! Of words at opening a portfolio.
If I do hide myself, it sure shall be
In the very fane, the light of Poesy :
If I do fall, at least I will be laid

Things such as these are ever harbingers
Beneath the silence of a poplar shade ;

To trains of peaceful images : the stirs And over me the grass shall be smooth shaven; of a swan's neck unseen among the rushes . And there shall be a kind memorial graven. A linnet starting all about the bushes : But off, Despondence! miserable bane!

A butterfly, with golden wings broad-parted, They should not know thee, who athirst to gain Nestling a rose, convulsed as though it smarted A noble end, are thirsty every hour.

With over-pleasure-many, many more, What though I am not wealthy in the dower Might I indulge at large in all my store Of spanning wisdom ; though I do not know Of luxuries : yet I must not forget The shiftings of the mighty winds that blow Sleep, quiet with his poppy coronet : Hither and thither all the changing thoughts For what there may be worthy in these rhymes Of man; though no great minist’ring reason sorts I partly owe to him: and thus, the chimes Out the dark mysteries of human souls

Of friendly voices had just given place To clear conceiving : yet there ever rolls

To as sweet a silence, when I'gan retrace A vast idea before me, and I glean

The pleasant day, upon a couch at ease. Therefrom my liberty; thence too I've seen It was a poet's house who keeps the keys