IV. TO THE DAISY. SWEET Flower! belike one day to have Ah! hopeful, hopeful was the day His wish was gained: a little time Would bring him back in manhood's prime And free for life, these hills to climb; With all his wants supplied. And full of hope day followed day While that stout Ship at anchor lay The May had then made all things green ; And, floating there, in pomp serene, That Ship was goodly to be seen, His pride and his delight! Yet then, when called ashore, he sought To your abodes, bright daisy Flowers! But hark the word!—the Ship is gone ;— Once more on English earth they stand : Ill-fated Vessel!-ghastly shock! —At length delivered from the rock, The deep she hath regained; And through the stormy night they steer; "Silence!" the brave Commander cried; -A few (my soul oft sees that sight) Six weeks beneath the moving sea Unforced by wind or wave To quit the Ship for which he died, And there they found him at her side; Vain service! yet not vainly done For such a gentle Soul and sweet, That neighbourhood of grove and field The birds shall sing and ocean make And Thou, sweet Flower, shalt sleep and wake 1805. * Se. Vol. ii. page 298, and the Poem which precedes this. V. LINES Composed at Grasmere, during a walk one Evening, after stormy day, the Author having just read in a Newspaper that the dissolution of Mr. Fox was hourly expected. LOUD is the Vale! the Voice is up With which she speaks when storms are gone, Of all her Voices, One! Loud is the Vale ;-this inland Depth In peace is roaring like the Sea; Yon star upon the mountain-top Sad was I, even to pain deprest, * Importuna e grave salma. MICHAEL ANGELO. And many thousands now are sad— A Power is passing from the earth That Man, who is from God sent forth, 1806. |