第9章

Thedaisynowisoutuponthegreen；

AndinthegrassylanesThechildofAprilrains，Thesweetfresh-heartedolet，issmeltandlovedunseen。

Alongthebrooksandmeads，thedaffodilItsyellowrichnessspreads，Andbythefountain-headsOfrers，cowslipsclusterround，andovereveryhill。

Thecrocusandtheprimrosemayhavegone，Thesnowdropmaybelow，ButsoonthepurpleglowOfhyacinthswillfillthecopse，andlilieswatchthedawn。

Andinthesweetnessofthebuddingyear，Thecuckoo’swoodlandcall，Theskylarkoverall，Andthenateve，thenightingale，isdoublysweetanddear。

Mysoulissingingwiththehappybirds，AndallmyhumanpowersArebloomingwiththeflowers，Myfootisonthefieldsanddowns，amongtheflocksandherds。

Deepintheforestwherethefoliagedroops，Iwander，fill’dwithjoy。

Againaswhenaboy，Thesunnystastemptmeonwithdimdelicioushopes。

Thesunnystas，dimwithhurryingshade，Andoldromantichaze：-

Againasinpastdays，ThespiritofimmortalSpringdotheverysensepervade。

Oh!donotsaythatthiswillevercease；-

Thisjoyofwoodsandfields，Thisyouththatnatureyields，Willneverspeaktomeinvain，tho’soundlyraptinpeace。

ThecloudsarewithdrawnAndtheirthin-rippledmist，Thatstream’do’erthelawnTothedrowsy-eyedwest。

ColdandgreyTheysleptintheway，AndshrankfromtherayOfthechariotEast：

Butnowtheyaregone，AndtheboundinglightLeapsthro’thebarsOfdoubtfuldawn；

Blindingthestars，Andblessingthesight；

SheddingdelightOnallbelow；

Glimmeringfields，Andwakeningwealds，Andrisinglark，Andmeadowsdark，Andidlerills，Andlabouringmills，Andfar-distanthillsOfthefawnandthedoe。

ThesunischeeredAndhispathiscleared，AshestepstotheairFromhisemeraldcave，Hisheelinthewave，Mostbrightandbare；

InthetideoftheskyHisradianthairFromhistemplesfairBlownbackonhigh；

Asforwardhebends，Andupwardascends，Timelyandtrue，Tothebreastoftheblue；

HiswarmredlipsKissingthedew，WhichsweeteneddripsOnhisflowercupholders；

EveryhueFromhisgleamingshouldersShininganewWithcoloursky-born，AsitwashesanddipsIntheprideofthemorn。

Robesofazure，Fringedwithamber，FolduponfoldOfpurpleandgold，ne-leafbloom，Andthegrape’sripegloom，WhenseasondeepInnoontideleisure，WithclusteringheapThetendrilsclamberFullinthefaceOfhishotembrace，Fill’dwiththegleamsOfhisfirmestbeams。

Autumnflushes，Roseateblushes，Vermeiltinges，oletfringes，EveryhueOfhisflowercupholders，O’ertheclearetherMingledtogether，ShininganewFromhisgleamingshoulders!

CirclingaboutInacoronalrout，Andfloatingbehind，Thewayofthewind，Asforwardhebends，Andupwardascends，Timelyandtrue，Tothebreastoftheblue。

Hisbrightneckcurved，Hisclearlimbsnerved，DiamondkeenOnhisfrontserene，WhileeachwhitearmstrainsTotheracingreins，Asplunging，eyesflashing，Dripping，anddashing，HissteedstriplegrownRearuptohisthrone，RufflingtherestOfthesea’sbluebreast，Fromhisflooding，flamingcrimsoncrest!

ThespiritofRomancediesnottothoseWhoholdakindredspiritintheirsouls：

EvenastheodorouslifewithintheroseLesinthescatteredleafletsandcontrolsMysteriousadoration，sothereglowsAbovedeadthingsathingthatcannotdie；

Faintastheglimmerofatearfuleye，Eretheorbfillsandallthesorrowflows。

Beautyrenewsitselfinmanyways；

Theflowerisfadingwhilethenewbudblows；

Andthisdearlandastrueasymbolshows，Whileo’eritlikeamellowsunsetstraysThelegendarysplendourofolddays，Insible，inolaterepose。

Aboutamilebehindthenybanks，Howsweetitwas，uponaslopinggreen，Sunspread，andshadedwithabranchingscreen，Tolieinpeacehalf-murmuringwordsofthanks!

Toseethemountainsoneachotherclimb，Withspacesforrichmeadowsflowerybright；

ThewindingrerfresheningthesightAtintervals，thetreesinleafyprime；

Thedistantllage-roofsofblueandwhite，Withintersectionsofquaint-fashionedbeamsAllslantingcrosswise，andthefeudalgleamsOfruinedturrets，barreninthelight；-

Towatchthechangingclouds，likeclimeinclime；

Ohsweettolieandblesstheluxuryoftime。

Freshblowstheearlybreeze，oursailisfull；

Amerrymorningandamightytide。

CheerilyO!andpastSt。Goarweglide，Halfhidinmistydawnandmountaincool。

Thererisourown!andnowthesunInsaffronclothesthewarmingatmosphere；

Theskyliftsupherwhiteveillikeanun，Andlooksuponthelandscapeblueandclear；-

Thelarkisup；thehills，thenesinsight；

ThererbroadenswithhiswakingblissAndthrowsupislandstobeholdthelight；

Voicesbegintorise，allhuestokiss；-

Waseversuchahappymornasthis!

Birdssing，weshout，flowersbreathe，treesshinewithonedelight!

Betweenthetwowhitebreastsofherwelove，Adewyblushingrosewillsometimesspring；

ThusNonnenwerthlikeanenchantedthingRisesmid-streamthecrystaldepthsabove。

Oneithersidethewatersheaveandswell，ButalliscalmwithinthelittleIsle；

Contentitistogeitsholysmile，Andblesswithpeacethelesthatinitdwell。

MostdearonthedarkgrassbeneathitsbowerOfkindredtreesembracingbranchandbough，Todreamoffairyfootandsuddenflower；

Orhaplywithatwilightonthebrow，Tomuseuponthelegendaryhour，AndRoland’slonelyloveandHildegard’ssadvow。

Hark!howthebitterwinterbreezesblowRoundthesharprocksando’erthehalf-liftedwave，WhilealltherockywoodlandbranchesraveShrillwiththepiercingcold，andeverycave，Alongtheicywater-marginlow，Ringsbubblingwiththewhirlingoverflow；

AndsharptheechoesanswerdistantcriesOfdawningdaylightandthedimsunrise，Andthegloom-colouredcloudsthatstaintheskiesWithpicturesofawarmth，andfrozenglowSpreadoverendlessfieldsofsheetedsnow；

Andwhiteuntroddenmountainsshiningcold，Andmuffledfootpathswindingthro’thewold，O’erwhichthosewintrygustsceasenottohowlandblow。

Rareisthelovelinessofslowdecay!

Withyouthandbeautyallmustbedesired，But’tisthecharmofthingslongpastaway，Theyleave，alone，thelighttheyhaveinspired：

Thecalmnessofapicture；MemorynowIsthesolelifeamongtheruinsgrey，AndlikeaphantominfantasticplayShewanderswithrankweedsstuckonherbrow，Overgrass-hiddencavesandturret-tops，Herselfalmostastotteringasthey；

While，tothestepsofTime，herlatestpropsFallstonebystone，andintheSun’shotrayAllthatremainsstandsupinruggedpride，Andbridalnesdrinkinhisjuicesoneachside。

Onightingale!howhastthoulearntThenoteofthenesteddove？

WhileunderthybowerthefernhangsburntAndnocloudhoversabove!

RichJulyhasmanyaskyWithsplendourdim，thatthoumightsthymn，Andmakerejoicewiththywondrousvoice，Andthethrillofthywildpervadingtone!

Butinsteadoftowoo，thouhastlearnttocoo：

Thysongismuteatthemellowingfruit，AndthedirgeoftheflowersissungbythehoursInsilenceandtwilightalone。

Onightingale!’tisthis，’tisthisThatmakestheemockthedove!

Thatthouhastpastthymarriagebliss，Toknowaparent’slove。

Thewavesoffernmayfadeandburn，Thegrassesmayfall，theflowersandall，Andthepine-smellso’ertheoakdellsFloatontheirdrowsyandodorouswings，Butthouwiltdonothingbutcoo，Brimmingthenestwiththybroodingbreast，’Midstthatyoungthrongoffuturesong，RoundwhomtheFuturesings!

Now’tisSpringonwoodandwold，EarlySpringthatsherswithcold，Butgladdens，andgathers，daybyday，Alovelierhue，awarmerray，Asweetersong，adearerditty；

Ouzelandthrostle，new-matedandgay，Singingtheirbridalsoneveryspray-

Oh，hearthem，deepinthesonglessCity!

Castofftheyokeoftoilandsmoke，AsSpringiscastingwinter’sgrey，Asserpentscasttheirskinsaway：

Andcome，fortheCountryawaitstheewithpityAndlongstobathetheeinherdelight，Andtakeanewjoyinthykindlingsight；

AndInoless，bydayandnight，Longforthycoming，andwatchfor，andwaitthee，Andwonderwhatdutiescanthusberatethee。

Dry-fruitedfirsaredroppingtheircones，Andsta’davenuesofpinesTakerichergreen，gefreshertones，Asmornaftermornthegladsunshines。

Primrosetuftspeepoverthebrooks，Fairfacesamidmoistdecay!

Theruletsrunwiththedeadleavesatplay，Theleaflesselmsarealewiththerooks。

Overthemeadowsthecowslipsarespringing，Themarshesarethickwithking-cupgold，Clearisthecryofthelambsinthefold，Theskylarkissinging，andsinging，andsinging。

SooncomesthecuckoowhenAprilisfair，Andherblueeyethebrighterthemoreitmayweep：

Thefrogandthebutterflywakefromtheirsleep，Eachtoitselement，waterandair。

Misthangsstilloneveryhill，Andcurlsupthevalleysateve；butnoonIsfullestofSpring；andatmidnightthemoonGesherwesteringthronetoOrion’sbrightzone，Asheslopeso’erthedarkenedworld’srepose；

AndalustreineasternSiriusglows。

Come，intheseasonofopeningbuds；

Come，andmolestnottheotterthatwhistlesUnlitbythemoon，’midthewetwinterbristlesOfwillow，half-drownedinthefatteningfloods。

Lethimcatchhiscoldfishwithoutfearofagun，Andthestarsshallshieldhim，andthouwiltshun!

AndeverylittlebirdunderthesunShallknowthatthebountyofSpringdothdwellInthewindsthatblow，inthewatersthatrun，Andinthebreastofmanaswell。

Nowthefrog，allleanandweak，Yawningfromhisfamishedsleep，Waterintheditchdothseek，Fastashecanstretchandleap：

Marshyking-cupsburningnearTellhim’tisthesweeto’theyear。

NowtheantworksuphismoundInthemoulderedpinysoil，AndabovethebusygroundTakesthejoyofearnesttoil：

Droppingpine-cones，dryandsere，Warnhim’tisthesweeto’theyear。

NowthechrysalisonthewallCracks，andoutthecreaturesprings，Rapturesinhisbodysmall，Wondersonhisdustywings：

Bellsandcups，allshiningclear，Showhim’tisthesweeto’theyear。

Nowthebrownbee，wildandwise，Humsabroad，androvesandroams，StoringinhiswealthythighsTreasureforthegoldencombs：

DewybudsandblossomsdearWhisper’tisthesweeto’theyear。

NowthemerrymaidssofairWeavethewreathsandchoosethequeen，Bloomingintheopenair，Likefreshflowersuponthegreen；

Spring，ineverythoughtsincere，Thrillsthemwiththesweeto’theyear。

Nowthelads，allquickandgay，Whistletothebrowsingherds，OrinthetwilightpasturesgreyLearntheuseofwhisperedwords：

Firstablush，andthenatear，Andthenasmile，i’thesweeto’theyear。

NowtheMay-flyandthefishPlayagainfromnoontonight；

Everybreezebegetsawish，Everymotionmeansdelight：

HeavenhighoverheathandmereCrownswithbluethesweeto’theyear。

NowallNatureisale，Birdandbeetle，manandmole；

Bee-likegoesthehumanhe，Lark-likesingsthesoaringsoul：

HeartyfaithandhonestcheerWelcomeinthesweeto’theyear。

ThelongcloudedgedwithstreaminggreySoarsfromtheWest；

Theredleafmountswithitaway，ShowingthenestAblotamongthebranchesbare：