I saw the glimmer of the sun Creeping as it before had done, But through the crevice where it came That bird was perch'd, as fond and tame, I never saw its like before, I ne'er shall see its likeness more : It seem'd like me to want a mate, But was not half so desolate, And it was come to love me when And cheering from my dungeon's brink, 270 For-Heaven forgive that thought! the while And then 'twas mortal-well I knew, A single cloud on a sunny day, That hath no business to appear When skies are blue, and earth is gay. 290 XI. A kind of change came in my fate, I know not what had made them so, 300 And it was liberty to stride Along my cell from side to side, And up and down, and then athwart, And round the pillars one by one, My brothers' graves without a sod; And my crush'd heart fell blind and sick. XII. I made a footing in the wall, It was not therefrom to escape, For I had buried one and all, Who loved me in a human shape; And the whole earth would henceforth be A wider prison unto me: No child-no sire-no kin had I, No partner in my misery; 310 320 I thought of this, and I was glad, For thought of them had made me mad; To my barr'd windows, and to bend Once more, upon the mountains high, 330 The quiet of a loving eye. XIII. I saw them—and they were the same, The only one in view; A small green isle, it seem'd no more, 340 But in it there were three tall trees, And o'er it blew the mountain breeze, And on it there were young flowers growing, Of gentle breath and hue. The fish swam by the castle wall, And they seemed joyous each and all; It was as is a new-dug grave, Had almost need of such a rest. 350 300 |