 | In Russet & Silver |  |
85
CIRCLING FANCIES
Around this tree the floating flies
Weave their mysterious webs of light;
The scent of my acacia lies
Within the circle of their flight;
They never perch nor drop from sight,
But, flashing, wheel in curves of air,
As if the perfume's warm delight
In magic bondage held them there.
Weave their mysterious webs of light;
The scent of my acacia lies
Within the circle of their flight;
They never perch nor drop from sight,
But, flashing, wheel in curves of air,
As if the perfume's warm delight
In magic bondage held them there.
I watch them till I half confound
Their motions with these thoughts of mine
That no less subtle bonds have bound
Within a viewless ring divine;
Clasped by a chain that makes no sign
My hopes and wheeling fancies live;
Desires, like odours, still confine
The heart that else were fugitive.
Their motions with these thoughts of mine
That no less subtle bonds have bound
Within a viewless ring divine;
Clasped by a chain that makes no sign
My hopes and wheeling fancies live;
Desires, like odours, still confine
The heart that else were fugitive.
86
Then flash and float thro' tides of June,
Ye summer phantoms of my love!
Let all the woodlands join in tune
While on your gauzy wings ye move!
With odour round, and light above,
Your aery symbol-circle keep,
Till night descends; then may I prove
More constant, circling still in sleep.
Ye summer phantoms of my love!
Let all the woodlands join in tune
While on your gauzy wings ye move!
With odour round, and light above,
Your aery symbol-circle keep,
Till night descends; then may I prove
More constant, circling still in sleep.
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