As he esteemed them trifles,
And then he spied a breeze,
And situated softly
Upon a pile of wind
Which in a perturbation
Nature had left behind.
A joyous-going fellow
I gathered from his talk,
Which both of benediction
And badinage partook,
Without apparent burden,
I learned, in leafy wood
He was the faithful father
Of a dependent brood;
And this untoward transport
His remedy for care,—
A contrast to our respites.
How different we are!
The sweet derision of the crow,And Glee’s advancing sound.In fear thou comest –Thou shalt go at such a gait of joyThat man anew embark to liveUpon the depth of thee.
An Ornament too grandFor Forehead low as mine, to wear,This might have been the HandThat sowed the flower, he preferred—Or smoothed a homely pain,Or pushed the pebble from his path—Or played his chosen tune—On Lute the least—the latest—But just his Ear could knowThat whatsoe’er delighted it,I never would let go—The foot to bear his errand—A…
Exists in every human natureA goal,Admitted scarcely to itself, it may be,Too fairFor credibility’s temerityTo dare.Adored with caution, as a brittle heaven,To reachWere hopeless as the rainbow’s raimentTo touch,Yet persevered toward, surer for the distance;How highUnto the saints’ slow diligenceThe sky!Ungained, it may be, by a life’s low venture,But then,Eternity enables the endeavoringAgain.
The Grace so awkward for her sakeIts fond subjection wear –
It cannot be again—When Fate hath taunted lastAnd thrown Her furthest Stone—The Maimed may pause, and breathe,And glance securely round—The Deer attracts no furtherThan it resists—the Hound—
When I was a little Girl—They given us Presents most—you know—When we are new—and small.I kept it in my Hand—I never put it down—I did not dare to eat—or sleep—For fear it would be gone—I heard such words as ‘Rich’—When hurrying to school—From lips at Corners of the Streets—And wrestled with a smile.Rich! ‘Twas Myself—was…
