 | Minions of the Moon |  |
64
A FOREST FLUTE
I heard a reed among the hills,
A woodland reed of music where,
Like madcap children, ran the rills,
Boisterous, with wildly flowing hair.
A woodland reed of music where,
Like madcap children, ran the rills,
Boisterous, with wildly flowing hair.
I knew it for a pipe the Spring
Tuned to the rapture in her heart,
That in the egg should shape the wing,
And in the seed the wildflower start.
Tuned to the rapture in her heart,
That in the egg should shape the wing,
And in the seed the wildflower start.
And I—I followed where it blew,
And found a valley, dim and green,
A wild spot, like a drop of dew,
Hung glimmeringly two hills between.
And found a valley, dim and green,
A wild spot, like a drop of dew,
Hung glimmeringly two hills between.
I heard the flute, a bird-like note,
That made the place a magic well,
On which enchantment seemed to float,
A spirit in a rainbow shell.
That made the place a magic well,
On which enchantment seemed to float,
A spirit in a rainbow shell.
I knew what danced there with its flute,
Unseen, a part of soul and mind:
I saw the imprint of its foot,
In many a flower of orchis-kind.
Unseen, a part of soul and mind:
I saw the imprint of its foot,
In many a flower of orchis-kind.
I knew it of an ancient race,
Some myth the Greeks had known of old.
Could I have spoken it face to face
Of what lost dreams I might have told!
Some myth the Greeks had known of old.
Could I have spoken it face to face
Of what lost dreams I might have told!
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