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POEMS.

CLARIBEL.

A MELODY.

1.

WHERE Claribel low-lieth

The breezes pause and die,
Letting the rose-leaves fall:

But the solemn oak-tree sigheth,
Thick-leaved, ambrosial,

With an ancient melody

Of an inward agony,

Where Claribel low-lieth.

2.

At eve the beetle boometh

Athwart the thicket lone :
At noon the wild bee hummeth

About the moss'd headstone : At midnight the moon cometh,

And looketh down alone.

Her song the lintwhite swelleth,
The clear-voiced mavis dwelleth,
The callow throstle lispeth,
The slumbrous wave outwelleth,
The babbling runnel crispeth,
The hollow grot replieth
Where Claribel low-lieth.

LILIAN.

1.

AIRY, fairy Lilian,

Flitting, fairy Lilian,

When I ask her if she love me,
Claps her tiny hands above me,
Laughing all she can ;

She'll not tell me if she love me,
Cruel little Lilian,

2.

When my passion seeks

Pleasance in love-sighs

She, looking thro' and thro' me
Thoroughly to undo me,

Smiling, never speaks:

So innocent-arch, so cunning-simple, From beneath her gather'd wimple Glancing with black-beaded eyes, Till the lightning laughters dimple The baby-roses in her cheeks; Then away she flies.

3.

Prythee weep, May Lilian! Gaiety without eclipse Wearieth me, May Lilian : Thro' my very heart it thrilleth When from crimson-threaded lips Silver-treble laughter trilleth : Prythee weep, May Lilian.

4.

Praying all I can,

If prayers will not hush thee,
Airy Lilian,

Like a rose-leaf I will crush thee,

Fairy Lilian.

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