The labourer I can distinguish now er retu With ghouldered ope OCTOBER TWILIGHT. 69 The sound just struggles up the steep ascent, With shouldered spade, and weary, laggard foot; His hound, with trailing ears, and muzzle dropt, Follows some winding scent. From the gray east, Twilight, upglancing with dim fearful eyes, Warns me away. The dusk sits like a bird Up in the tree-tops, and swart, elvish shadows Dart from the wooded pathways. Wraith of day! Through thy transparent robes the stars are plain ; Along those swelling mounds, that look like graves, Where flowers grow thick in June, thy step falls soft As the dropt leaves; amid the faded brakes 770 QUEEN MAB. The wind, retreating, hides, and cowering there, Whines at thy coming like a hound afraid. MAY. QUEEN MAB. QUEEN MAB and all her company Dance on a pleasant mole-hill high, To small straw pipes, wherein great pleasure. They take, and keep time, just time and measure : All hand in hand, around, around, They dance upon the fairy-ground; And when she leaves her dancing hall, She doth for her attendants call, To wait upon her to a bower, Where she doth sit under a flower, To shade her from the moonshine bright, To keep in order all the rout. A dewy waving leaf's made fit For the queen's bath, where she doth sit, Like a new-fallen flake of snow; HER DWELLING. Her maids do put her garments on, As various objects shadows make. DUCHESS OF NEWCASTLE. HER DWELLING. I DWELL in groves that gilt are with the sun; Sit on the banks by which clear waters run; I walk in meadows, where grows fresh green grass; Walk up the hills, where round I prospects see, To hear how sheep do bleat, and cows do low; 71 72 A RURAL MEDITATION. I wish nor seek for vain and fruitless pleasures; Yet better loved, the more that I am known; DUCHESS OF NEWCASTLE. A RURAL MEDITATION. HERE in the tuneful groves and flowery fields, Wide-spreading lawns, bright rills, and silent gladc. With a religious awe our souls inspire, And to the heavens our raptured thoughts aspire, To Him who sits in majesty on high, Who turned the starry arches of the sky; |