Page images
PDF
EPUB

XIX.

TRIBUTARY STREAM.

My frame hath often trembled with delight
When hope presented some far-distant good,
That seemed from heaven descending, like the flood
Of yon pure waters, from their aëry height
Hurrying, with lordly Duddon to unite;
Who, 'mid a world of images imprest

On the calm depth of his transparent breast,
Appears to cherish most that Torrent white,
The fairest, softest, liveliest of them all!
And seldom hath ear listened to a tune
More lulling than the busy hum of Noon,

Swoln by that voice- whose murmur musical

Announces to the thirsty fields a boon

Dewy and fresh, till showers again shall fall.

XX.

THE PLAIN OF DONNERDALE.

THE old inventive Poets, had they seen,

Or rather felt, the entrancement that detains
Thy waters, Duddon! 'mid these flowery plains,
The still repose, the liquid lapse serene,
Transferred to bowers imperishably green,
Had beautified Elysium! But these chains
Will soon be broken; a rough course remains,
Rough as the past; where Thou, of placid mien,
Innocuous as a firstling of the flock,

And countenanced like a soft cerulean sky,

Shalt change thy temper; and, with many a shock Giver and received in mutual jeopardy,

Dance, like a Bacchanal, from rock to rock,

Tossing her frantic thyrsus wide and high!

XXI.

WHENCE that low voice?-A whisper from the heart,
That told of days long past, when here I roved
With friends and kindred tenderly beloved;

Some who had early mandates to depart,
Yet are allowed to steal my path athwart

By Duddon's side; once more do we unite,
Once more beneath the kind Earth's tranquil light;
And smothered joys into new being start.

From her unworthy seat, the cloudy stall
Of Time, breaks forth triumphant Memory;
Her glistening tresses bound, yet light and free
As golden locks of birch, that rise and fall
On gales that breathe too gently to recal
Aught of the fading year's inclemency!

XXII.

TRADITION.

A LOVE-LORN Maid, at some far-distant time,
Came to this hidden pool, whose depths surpass
In crystal clearness Dian's looking-glass;

And, gazing, saw that Rose, which from the prime
Derives its name, reflected as the chime

Of echo doth reverberate some sweet sound:

The starry treasure from the blue profound

She longed to ravish; - shall she plunge, or climb The humid precipice, and seize the guest

Of April, smiling high in upper air?

Desperate alternative! what fiend could dare

To prompt the thought? - Upon the steep rock's breast The lonely Primrose yet renews its bloom,

Untouched memento of her hapless doom!

XXIII.

SHEEP-WASHING.

SAD thoughts, avaunt!

- the fervour of the year,

Poured on the fleece-encumbered flock, invites

To laving currents, for prelusive rites

Duly performed before the Dales-men shear

Their panting charge. The distant Mountains hear, Hear and repeat, the turmoil that unites

Clamour of boys with innocent despites

Of barking dogs, and bleatings from strange fear.
Meanwhile, if Duddon's spotless breast receive
Unwelcome mixtures as the uncouth noise

Thickens, the pastoral River will forgive

Such wrong; nor need we blame the licensed joys, Though false to Nature's quiet equipoise:

Frank are the sports, the stains are fugitive.

[blocks in formation]
« PreviousContinue »