Her song the lintwhite swelleth, The clear-voiced mavis dwelleth, The callow throstle lispeth, The slumbrous wave outwelleth, The babbling runnel crispeth, The hollow grot replieth Where Claribel low-lieth. LILIAN. 1. AIRY, fairy Lilian, Flitting, fairy Lilian, When I ask her if she love me, She'll not tell me if she love me, 2. When my passion seeks Pleasance in love-sighs She, looking thro' and thro' me Smiling, never speaks: So innocent-arch, so cunning-simple, From beneath her gather'd wimple Glancing with black-beaded eyes, Till the lightning laughters dimple The baby-roses in her cheeks; Then away she flies. 3. Prythee weep, May Lilian! Gaiety without eclipse Wearieth me, May Lilian : Thro' my very heart it thrilleth When from crimson-threaded lips Silver-treble laughter trilleth : Prythee weep, May Lilian. 4. Praying all I can, If prayers will not hush thee, Airy Lilian, Like a rose-leaf I will crush thee, Fairy Lilian. ISABEL. 1. EYES not down-dropt nor over-bright, but fed 2. The intuitive decision of a bright And thorough-edged intellect to part Error from crime; a prudence to withhold; The laws of marriage character'd in gold Upon the blanched tablets of her heart; A love still burning upward, giving light To read those laws; an accent very low Of subtle-paced counsel in distress, Winning its way with extreme gentleness 3. The mellow'd reflex of a winter moon; With swifter movement and in purer light Of rich fruit-bunches leaning on each otherShadow forth thee: the world hath not another (Tho' all her fairest forms are types of thee, And thou of God in thy great charity) Of such a finish'd chasten'd purity. |