VII.

SHE was a Phantom of delight
When first she gleamed upon my sight;

A lovely Apparition, sent

To be a moment's ornament;

Her eyes as stars of Twilight fair;

Like Twilight's, too, her dusky hair;

But all things else about her drawn From May-time and the cheerful Dawn; A dancing Shape, an Image gay,

To haunt, to startle, and way-lay.

I saw her upon nearer view, A Spirit, yet a Woman too! Her household.motions light and free, And steps of virgin liberty; A countenance in which did meet Sweet records, promises as sweet; A Creature not too bright or good For human nature's daily food; For transient sorrows, simple wiles, Praise, blame, love, kisses, tears, and smiles.

And now I see with eye serene

The very pulse of the machine;
A Being breathing thoughtful breath,
A Traveller betwixt life and death;
The reason firm, the temperate will,
Endurance, foresight, strength, and skill,
A perfect Woman, nobly planned,
To warn, to comfort, and command;
And yet a Spirit still, and bright
With something of an angel light.

VIII.

O NIGHTINGALE! thou surely art

A Creature of ebullient heart :

These notes of thine-they pierce and pierce;

Tumultuous harmony and fierce!

Thou sing'st as if the God of wine
Had helped thee to a Valentine;

A song in mockery and despite

Of shades, and dews, and silent Night;
And steady bliss, and all the loves
Now sleeping in these peaceful Groves.

I heard a Stock-dove sing or say
His homely tale, this very day.
His voice was buried among trees,

Yet to be come at by the breeze :

He did not cease; but coo'd-and coo'd;
And somewhat pensively he woo'd:

He sang of love with quiet blending,
Slow to begin, and never ending;
Of serious faith and inward glee;

That was the Song-the Song for me!

IX.

THREE years she grew in sun and shower,
Then Nature said, "A lovelier flower
On earth was never sown;

This Child I to myself will take;
She shall be mine, and I will make
A Lady of my own.

"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.

"She shall be sportive as the Fawn That wild with glee across the lawn Or up the mountain springs;

And hers shall be the breathing balm,

And hers the silence and the calm
Of mute insensate things.

"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

Shall pass into her face.

"And vital feelings of delight

Shall rear her form to stately height,

Her virgin bosom swell;

Such thoughts to Lucy I will give

While she and I together live

Here in this happy Dell."