University of Virginia Library

AN OLD HAUNT.

It was a dreamy haunt! And, O, the times,
In spring's young hours and summer's roseate primes,
That I have wandered there, in hope and joy,
In thoughtless idlesse—peace, without alloy!
But now a breeze of change hath o'er it blown,—
Ah! 'tis the shadows of the heart are thrown
Along its changeless beauty—still the same
As when that heart deemed sorrow but a name!
Thou lark! thou'rt soaring, singing, as of old,
Rejoicing ever with delight untold,
And hanging on the morning's cloudless brow,
Like a bright quivering forehead-jewel now!
I almost marvel in so dear a spot
The paradise of sky is not forgot!
Ah! midst those isles of cloud, can'st thou ere find
A happier home than that thou leavest behind?
Ye winds, that leave no hidden nook unsearched—
That play in scorn where eagles never perched
Nor pierced!—that rifle, in your mirth,
All the green treasure-holds of laughing earth;
Say—have ye e'er o'erswept a lovelier scene,
Or on a track more full of beauty been?
And clouds! ye star associates! declare,
Have ye e'er visited a haunt so fair?—
Hath e'er the all-viewing sun himself descried
A sweeter, midst his subject-regions wide?
Hath ever night a heavenlier spot o'erpowered,
Midst leafy glooms embosomed and embowered?
How fitly—when no sound its stillness mars,
Glassed over by the dewy light of stars,
Sweet isle! as 'mongst the sea-like woods, thou art
Of refuge and repose to this worn heart.
Green bowery shrine! at which the sad might kneel,
Forgetting how to mourn—but, ah! not how to feel!