Or with a less uneasy lustre shine; Yet not for this do I aspire To match the spark of local fire, Before the purple dawn." When this in modest guise was said, That Star, so proud of late, looked wan; In the blue depth, like Lucifer Fire raged, and when the spangled floor Of ancient ether was no more, New heavens succeeded, by the dream brought forth: And all the happy souls that rode Had heretofore, in humble trust, lea: This knowledge, from an Angel's voice Where by that dream he had been cheered XIX. STRAY PLEASURES. · Pleasure is spread through the earth In stray gifts to be claimed by whoever shall find." By their floating Mill, Which lies dead and still, Behold yon Prisoners three! The Miller with two Dames, on the breast of the Thames ; The Platform is small, but gives room for them all; And they're dancing merrily. From the shore come the notes To their Mill where it floats, To their House and their Mill tethered fast; To the small wooden Isle where, their work to beguile, They from morning to even take whatever is given;And many a blithe day they have past. In sight of the Spires, All alive with the fires Of the Sun going down to his rest, In the broad open eye of the solitary sky, They dance, there are three, as jocund as free, While they dance on the calm river's breast. Man and Maidens wheel, They themselves make the Reel, And their Music's a prey which they seize; It plays not for them, what matter! 'tis theirs ; And if they had care it has scattered their cares, While they dance, crying, "Long as ye please!” They dance not for me, Yet mine is their glee! Thus pleasure is spread through the earth In stray gifts to be claimed by whoever shall find; Thus a rich loving-kindness, redundantly kind, Moves all nature to gladness and mirth. The Showers of the Spring Rouze the Birds, and they sing ; If the Wind do but stir for his proper delight, They are happy, for that is their right! XX. THE KITTEN, AND THE FALLING LEAVES. THAT way look, my Infant, lo! Sporting with the leaves that fall, Through the calm and frosty air |