ODE ON INDOLENCE. "They toil not, neither do they spin." I. ONE morn before me were three figures seen, In placid sandals, and in white robes grac'd; When shifted round to see the other side ; 2. How is it, Shadows! that I knew ye not? To steal away, and leave without a task My idle days? Ripe was the drowsy hour; The blissful cloud of summer-indolence Benumb'd my eyes; my pulse grew less and less; Pain had no sting, and pleasure's wreath no flower : Unhaunted quite of all but nothingness? 3. A third time pass'd they by, and, passing, turn'd Then faded, and to follow them I burn'd And ach'd for wings, because I knew the three; 5 ΙΟ 15 20 The first was a fair maid, and Love her name; And ever watchful with fatigued eye; The last, whom I love more, the more of blame I knew to be my demon Poesy. 4. They faded, and, forsooth! I wanted wings: O folly! What is Love? and where is it? And for that poor Ambition! it springs From a man's little heart's short fever-fit; At least for me, so sweet as drowsy noons, And evenings steep'd in honeyed indolence; Oh, for an age so shelter'd from annoy, That I may never know how change the moons, 5. And once more came they by ; alas! wherefore? My sleep had been embroider'd with dim dreams; My soul had been a lawn besprinkled o'er 25 30 35 40 With flowers, and stirring shades, and baffled beams: The morn was clouded, but no shower fell, 45 Tho' in her lids hung the sweet tears of May; The open casement press'd a new-leav'd vine, Let in the budding warmth and throstles' lay; 6. So, ye three Ghosts, adieu! Ye cannot raise 50 For I would not be dieted with praise, 55 60 SONG. I. HUSH, hush! tread softly! hush, hush, my dear! 5 2. No leaf doth tremble, no ripple is there On the river, all's still, and the night's sleepy eye Closes up, and forgets all its Lethean care, Charm'd to death by the drone of the humming May-fly; Was fled to her bower, well knowing I want ΙΟ 15 3. Lift the latch! ah gently! ah tenderly sweet! We are dead if that latchet gives one little clink! Well done - now those lips, and a flowery seat The old man may sleep, and the planets may wink; The shut rose shall dream of our loves, and awake Full blown, and such warmth for the morning's take, The stock-dove shall hatch her soft brace and shall coo, While I kiss to the melody, aching all through! 20 "I met a lady in the meads, Full beautiful-a faery's child; Her hair was long, her foot was light, 15 And her eyes were wild. 5. "I made a garland for her head, And bracelets too, and fragrant zone; She look'd at me as she did love, And made sweet moan. 6. "I set her on my pacing steed, And nothing else saw all day long, For sideways would she lean, and sing A faery's song. ee 7. She found me roots of relish sweet, And honey wild, and manna-dew, And sure in language strange she said 'I love thee true.' ee 8. She took me to her elfin grot, And there she gaz'd and sighed deep, And there I shut her wild wild eyes, ९९ So kiss'd to sleep. 9. And there we slumber'd on the moss, And there I dream'dah! woe betide! The latest dream I ever dream'd On the cold hill's side. 35 330 25 20 |