University of Virginia Library


251

THE BATH.

Upon a daisied sward I sank
And slept. There mingled in my dream
The music of a flowing stream,
And hum of bees upon the bank.
A voice upon my fancies broke;
A dripping figure at my side
Disturbed me, and my tongue replied
Before my sleeping brain awoke.
“Leave me alone, and let me rest;
My couch is in a shady spot,
The stream is low, the sun is hot,
My heart is languid in my breast.”

252

He railed at me for childish fears;
I stripped and dived in boyish pride,
I saw the pebbles magnified,
The water sounded in my ears.
Then springing up by him unseen—
My limbs renewed in strength and life,—
I clasped him in athletic strife,
And laughed and wrestled on the green.