With the wayward, flashing flight Of a bird; And you speak and bring with you Leaf and sun-ray, bud and blue, And the wind-breath and the dew, When At a word. you called to me my name, When I heard your single cry In the lane, All the sound was as the "sweet" In their thank-song to the heat After rain. When you sang the Schwalbenlied, 'Twas absurd, But it seemed no human note That I heard ; For your strain had all the trills, All the little shakes and stills, Of the over-song that rills From a bird. You have just their eager, quick "Airs de tête," All their flush and fever-heat When elate; Every bird-like nod and beck, And a bird's own curve of neck To her mate. When you left me, only now, In that furred, Puffed, and feathered Polish dress, I was spurred Just to catch you, O my Sweet, By the bodice trim and neat, Just to feel your heart a-beat, Like a bird. Yet, alas! Love's light you deign But to wear And you care As the dew upon your plumes, Not a whit for rest or hush; But the leaves, the lyric gush, And the wing-power, and the rush Of the air. So I dare not woo you, Sweet, For a day, Lest I lose you in a flash, As I may; Did I tell you tender things, You would shake your sudden wings; You would start from him who sings, And away. THE LOVE-LETTER. "J'ai vu les mœurs de mon tems, et j'ai publié cette lettre." LA NOUVELLE HÉLOÏSE. IF F this should fail, why then I scarcely know What could succeed. Here's brilliancy (and banter), Byron ad lib., a chapter of Rousseau ; If this should fail, then tempora mutantur; Style's out of date, and love, as a profession, Acquires no aid from beauty of expression. "The men who think as I, I fear, are few," (Cynics would say 'twere well if they were fewer); "I am not what I seem," – (indeed, 'tis true; Though, as a sentiment, it might be newer); "Mine is a soul whose deeper feelings lie More deep than words -(as these exemplify). "I will not say when first your beauty's sun Illumed my life," — (it needs imagination); "For me to see you and to love were one," - (This will account for some precipitation); "Let it suffice that worship more devoted Ne'er throbbed," et cætera. The rest is quoted. "If Love can look with all-prophetic eye," (Ah, if he could, how many would be single!) "If truly spirit unto spirit cry," (The ears of some most terribly must tingle !) "Then I have dreamed you will not turn your face." This next, I think, is more than commonplace. 66 Why should we speak, if Love, interpreting, Forestall the speech with favour found before? Why should we plead?- it were an idle thing, If Love himself be Love's ambassador!" Blot, as I live! Shall we erase it? No;'Twill show we write currente calamo. "My fate, my fortune, I commit to you," (In point of fact, the latter 's not extensive); "Without you I am poor indeed," (strike through, 'Tis true but crude - 'twould make her apprehensive); "My life is yours I lay it at your feet," (Having no choice but Hymen or the Fleet). |