LINES WRITTEN IN THE BAY OF LERICI. SHE left me at the silent time When the moon had ceased to climb The azure path of Heaven's steep, The inchanted heart could hear, Like notes which die when born, but still Haunt the echoes of the hill; And feeling ever - O too much! And thus, although she absent were, That even Fancy dares to claim : — Over the ocean bright and wide, Such sweet and bitter pain as mine. From the land came fresh and light, And the coolness of the hours Of dew, and sweet warmth left by day, And spear about the low rocks damp Crept, and struck the fish which came LINES. I. We meet not as we parted, We feel more than all may see, My bosom is heavy-hearted, And thine full of doubt for me. One moment has bound the free. II. That moment is gone for ever, Like lightning that flashed and died, Like a snowflake upon the river, Like a sunbeam upon the tide, Which the dark shadows hide. III. That moment from time was singled - Delusion too sweet though vain ! Too sweet to be mine again. IV. Sweet lips, could my heart have hidden V. * Methinks too little cost For a moment so found, so lost! THE ISLE. THERE was a little lawny islet Like mosaic, paven : And its roof was flowers and leaves Where nor sun nor showers nor breeze Pierce the pines and tallest trees, Each a gem engraven. Girt by many an azure wave With which the clouds and mountains pave A lake's blue chasm. |