Middle-Age Enthusiasms

To M. H.
















 We passed where flag and flower
  Signalled a jocund throng;
  We said: "Go to, the hour
  Is apt!"--and joined the song;
And, kindling, laughed at life and care,
Although we knew no laugh lay there.

  We walked where shy birds stood
  Watching us, wonder-dumb;
  Their friendship met our mood;
  We cried: "We'll often come:
We'll come morn, noon, eve, everywhen!"
- We doubted we should come again.

  We joyed to see strange sheens
  Leap from quaint leaves in shade;
  A secret light of greens
  They'd for their pleasure made.
We said: "We'll set such sorts as these!"
- We knew with night the wish would cease.

  "So sweet the place," we said,
  "Its tacit tales so dear,
  Our thoughts, when breath has sped,
  Will meet and mingle here!" . . .
"Words!" mused we. "Passed the mortal door,
Our thoughts will reach this nook no more."

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