| |
| IF the woodland and the heath, | |
| And the hedgerows thick with may, | |
| And the weed-flowers underneath, | |
| And the clambering honey-sheath, | |
| And the mosses green and grey, | 5 |
| |
| And the flecks of sun and shade | |
| Lying light upon the grass, | |
| And the ripple in the glade, | |
| And the songs that float and fade, | |
| And the joys that come and pass, | 10 |
| |
| If the dog-rose choir of bees | |
| Whirling golden in the sun, | |
| And the sweetness of the breeze, | |
| And the joists of mighty trees, | |
| And the hoods of purple nun, | 15 |
| |
| If this fabric of delight | |
| Spread around to make the spring | |
| Could but read my wish aright, | |
| Could but aid me as it might, | |
| Could obey me while I sing, | 20 |
| |
| I should build thee such a bower | |
| As the fairies built of old, | |
| Walled with every fragrant flower, | |
| And with many a mighty tower | |
| Domed with purest morning gold. | 25 |
| |
| And thy breath should draw the rose, | |
| And thine ears be filled with sweet | |
| Such as never poet knows, | |
| Such as tricks him while it flows, | |
| And eludes his bar and beat. | 30 |
| |
| And thy couch should be more soft | |
| Than the silk of Eastern days, | |
| Than the rainbow’s flush aloft, | |
| Than the dawning clouds that oft | |
| Melt before us as we gaze. | 35 |
| |
| There my dearest love should rest | |
| Like a bird upon the bough, | |
| Like a fledgeling in its nest, | |
| Like her head upon my breast, | |
| Like my kiss upon her brow. | 40 |
| |
