"STRANGE FITS OF PASSION HAVE I KNOWN." Upon the moon I fixed my eye, All over the wide lea; With quickening pace my horse drew nigh Those paths so dear to me. b. And now we reached the orchard-plot; And as we climbed the hill, The sinking moon to Lucy's cot Came near, and nearer still. In one of those sweet dreams I slept, Kind Nature's gentlest boon! On the descending moon. IO 20 My horse moved on; hoof after hoof At once, the bright moon dropped. What fond and wayward thoughts will slide "O mercy!" to myself I cried, "If Lucy should be dead!" "SHE DWELT AMONG THE UNTRODDEN WAYS." 1799. — 1800. SHE dwelt among the untrodden ways A Maid whom there were none to praise A violet by a mossy stone Half hidden from the eye! Fair as a star, when only one Is shining in the sky. Smagic She lived unknown, and few could know When Lucy ceased to be; But she is in her grave, and, oh, The difference to me! 1Ο "I TRAVELLED AMONG UNKNOWN MEN." 1799. — 1800. I TRAVELLED among unknown men, Nor, England! did I know till then 'Tis past, that melancholy dream! A second time; for still I seem Among thy mountains did I feel The joy of my desire ; And she I cherished turned her wheel Thy mornings showed, thy nights concealed, The bowers where Lucy played; "THREE YEARS SHE GREW IN SUN AND SHOWER." 1799. - 1800. THREE years she grew in sun and shower, On earth was never sown; ΙΟ This Child I to myself will take; 66 'Myself will to my darling be Both law and impulse; and with me The Girl, in rock and plain, In earth and heaven, in glade and bower, Shall feel an overseeing power To kindle or restrain. IO “She shall be sportive as the fawnes That wild with glee across the lawn) Or up the mountain springs ;) And hers shall be the breathing_balm, "The floating clouds their state shall lend To her; for her the willow bend; Nor shall she fail to see Even in the motions of the storm Grace that shall mould the Maiden's form By silent sympathy. "The stars of midnight shall be dear To her; and she shall lean her ear In many a secret place Where rivulets dance their wayward round, And beauty born of murmuring sound 20 30 How soon my Lucy's race was run! She died, and left to me This heath, this calm and quiet scene; The memory of what has been, And never more will be. "A SLUMBER DID MY SPIRIT SEAL." 1799.-1800. A SLUMBER did my spirit seal; I had no human fears: She seemed a thing that could not feel No motion has she now, no force; With rocks and stones and trees. 40 |