POEMS.

CLARIBEL.

MELODY.

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.

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.

AIRY, fairy Lilian,

Flitting, fairy Lilian,
When I ask her if she love me,
Claps her ting 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.

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.

Praying all I can,
If prayers will not hush thee,

Airy Lilian,
Like a rose-leaf I will crush thee,

Fairy Lilian.