 | Later Poems |  |
40
In a Swiss Wood
I sat and watched the water fallAdown the gray rocks rough and tall,
Which Nature there did robe and crown
With marvellous wealth of green and brown.
A small white butterfly did flit
Across the rainbowed breast of it.
One up on high, one down below,
I saw two monkshood clusters grow.
The long fair grasstufts which the sun
In southering glory looked upon
Lay soft and delicate, like the hair
Of little maidens kneeling there;
And the high mountains caught the glow
On crests of everlasting snow.
The whortleberries on the bank
Beside me of the sunshine drank,
That flushed their green to living red;
And on the happy air was shed
The sunkissed pinetrees' quickening scent;
Its fragrance through and through me went.
The little ants moved busily
O'er shed pine-needles close to me;
And now and then the human folk
Passed by; I knew not if they spoke
41
So loud, and bonny bell-flowers rang;
And budding grasses at my feet
Thrilled as they felt the live air beat
In rhythmic rapture all around,
A glory of sense and light and sound.
Through voiceful peace and restful stir
There Nature drew me so to her,
That, were it but for once, I vaunt
I knew not either wish or want.
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