STANZAS. Written in my pocket copy of Thomson's "Castle of WITHIN Our happy castle there dwelt one As doth a fly upon a summer brook; But go to-morrow- —or belike to-day Seek for him, he is fled; and whither none can say. Thus often would he leave our peaceful home, Out of our valley's limits did he roam : Full many a time, upon a stormy night, His voice came to us from the neighbouring height : At mid-day, when the sun was shining bright; Ah! piteous sight it was to see this man Down would he sit; and without strength or power And oftentimes, how long I fear to say, Great wonder to our gentle tribe it was Some thought far worse of him, and judged him wrong: But verse was what he had been wedded to; And his own mind did like a tempest strong Come to him thus, and drove the weary wight along. With him there often walked in friendly guise, Or lay upon the moss by brook or tree, Yet some did think that he had little business here: Sweet heaven forefend! his was a lawful right; His limbs would toss about him with delight He would have taught you how you might employ Yourself; and many did to him repair,— Expedients, too, of simplest sort he tried : A pipe on which the wind would deftly play— A mailed angel on a battle-day; And cups of flowers, and herbage green and gold : And all the gorgeous sights which fairies do behold. He would entice that other man to hear And, sooth, these two did love each other dear If but a bird, to keep them company, Or butterfly sate down, they were, I ween, As pleased as if the same had been a maiden queen. "STRANGE FITS OF PASSION I HAVE KNOWN." STRANGE fits of passion I have known : And I will dare to tell, But in the lover's ear alone, What once to me befell. When she I loved was strong and gay, And like a rose in June, I to her cottage bent my way, Beneath the evening moon. Upon the moon I fixed my eye, All over the wide lea: My horse trudged on-and we drew nigh Those paths so dear to me. And now we reached the orchard plot ; And, as we climbed the hill, Towards the roof of Lucy's cot The moon descended still. In one of those sweet dreams I slept, Kind Nature's gentlest boon! And, all the while, my eyes I kept On the descending moon. My horse moved on; hoof after hoof |