University of Virginia Library


324

XXI. TO LINA.

The night is soft as under southern skies;
The garden is deserted, save by me;
Whilst ever and anon a gleam I see
Flash from the house, perplexing my old eyes;
For one short moment on the lawn it lies,
Then into ghostly being brings a tree
Unseen before—the murmur of the sea
Steals through the branches. But a glad surprise
Absorbs all these delights, and gives its own;
From the sweet south leaps out a gracious wind,
Fresh, strong, and soothing, stirring in the mind
Old thoughts and new, by its elastic tone;—
Such and so sudden was, on seeing you,
My joy to-day; ah! moments dear and few!
August 4, 1864.