 | Romance and revery |  |
135
THE HEARTS OF TREES.
I lie at ease amid the glade
Where late my random steps have strayed;
The branches tenderly are swayed;
Vicissitudes of shine and shade
The plenteous grasses feel.
Yet here in this idyllic place,
Gloomed from the crystal blue of space,
No longer does my vision trace
What outward symmetry and grace
The foliage may reveal.
Where late my random steps have strayed;
The branches tenderly are swayed;
Vicissitudes of shine and shade
The plenteous grasses feel.
Yet here in this idyllic place,
Gloomed from the crystal blue of space,
No longer does my vision trace
What outward symmetry and grace
The foliage may reveal.
For dearer still the boon I prize
To roam with penetrative eyes
Recesses of the trees that rise
Above me, in luxuriant guise
Of twinkling green arrayed;
To mark the gladsome birds explore
Each growth to its cool central core,
And note their quick shapes dart and soar
Through many a leafy corridor,
Dim gallery, deep arcade.
To roam with penetrative eyes
Recesses of the trees that rise
Above me, in luxuriant guise
Of twinkling green arrayed;
To mark the gladsome birds explore
Each growth to its cool central core,
And note their quick shapes dart and soar
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Dim gallery, deep arcade.
O feathered favorites, blithe and fleet,
Whom the calm woodlands love to greet
With hospitality more sweet
Than man, howe'er he may entreat,
Can make their boughs dispense,
To you the allegiant trees have told,
In fond confession, shy or bold,
In cloisteral music richly rolled,
Rare special secrets they withhold
From man's intelligence!
Whom the calm woodlands love to greet
With hospitality more sweet
Than man, howe'er he may entreat,
Can make their boughs dispense,
To you the allegiant trees have told,
In fond confession, shy or bold,
In cloisteral music richly rolled,
Rare special secrets they withhold
From man's intelligence!
Ah! human life too often sees
Great realms of thought or dream, like these
Great shadowy hearts of yonder trees,
Fluting fantasias on the breeze
More eloquent than words!
But we, whose earth-bound spirits tire,
Watch with regret's long-smouldering fire
Those interdicted bournes aspire,
While fate forbids that our desire
Shall wear wings, like the birds!
Great realms of thought or dream, like these
Great shadowy hearts of yonder trees,
Fluting fantasias on the breeze
More eloquent than words!
But we, whose earth-bound spirits tire,
Watch with regret's long-smouldering fire
Those interdicted bournes aspire,
While fate forbids that our desire
Shall wear wings, like the birds!
| Romance and revery | |