142 THE EDUCATION OF NATURE. "The stars of midnight shall be dear In many a secret place, Where rivulets dance their wayward round, And beauty, born of murmuring sound, "And vital feelings of delight Shall rear her form to stately height, Her virgin bosom swell; Such thoughts to Lucy I will give, While she and I together live Here in this happy dell." Thus Nature spake; the work was done; How soon my Lucy's race was run! She died, and left to me This heath, this calm and quiet scene; The memory of what has been, And never more will be! WORDSWORTH. WORLD! O Life! O Time! On whose last steps I climb, Trembling at that where I had stood before, When will return the glory of your prime ? No more--oh, never more! 144 THE POPLAR FIELD. Out of the day and night A joy has taken flight: Fresh spring, and summer, and winter hoar Move my faint heart with grief, but with delight No more-oh, never more! SHELLEY. THE POPLAR FIELD. THE poplars are felled; farewell to the shade, Twelve years have elapsed since I last took a view The blackbird has fled to another retreat, Where the hazels afford him a screen from the heat; My fugitive years are all hasting away, Ere another such grove shall arise in its stead. |