TO THE QUEEN. REVERED, beloved,-O you that hold Than arms, or power of brain, or birth, Victoria,-since your Royal grace This laurel greener from the brows And should your greatness, and the care Then-while a sweeter music wakes, The sunlit almond-blossom shakes Take, Madam, this poor book of song; And leave us rulers of your blood May children of our children say, VOL. I. 1 "Her court was pure; her life serene; "And statesmen at her council met By shaping some august decree, POEMS. CLARIBEL. A MELODY. WHERE Claribel low-lieth At eve the beetle boometh Athwart the thicket lone: At noon the wild bee hummeth About the mossed headstone: At midnight the moon cometh And looketh down alone. Her song the lintwhite swelleth, The clear-voiced mavis dwelleth, The callow throstle lispeth, The slumbrous wave outwelleth, The babbling runnel crispeth, The hollow grot replieth LILIAN. AIRY, fairy Lilian, When I ask her if she love me, When my passion seeks She, looking through and through me Smiling, never speaks: So innocent-arch, so cunning-simple, From beneath her gathered wimple Glancing with black-beaded eyes, Till the lightning laughters dimple The baby-roses in her cheeks; Then away she flies. Prithee weep, May Lilian ! Gayety without eclipse Wearieth me, May Lilian: Through my very heart it thrilleth When from crimson-threaded lips Silver-treble laughter trilleth: Prithee weep, May Lilian. Praying all I can, If prayers will not hush thee, Airy Lilian, Like a rose-leaf I will crush thee, |