[From Poetical Sketches.] TO THE EVENING STAR. Thou fair-haired Angel of the Evening, Now whilst the sun rests on the mountains, light In timely sleep. Let thy West Wind sleep on SONG. How sweet I roamed from field to field, And tasted all the summer's pride; Till I the Prince of Love beheld, He showed me lilies for my hair, And blushing roses for my brow; With sweet May-dews my wings were wet, He caught me in his silken net, He loves to sit and hear me sing, Then laughing sports and plays with me, Then stretches out my golden wing, And mocks my loss of liberty. SONG. My silks and fine array, My smiles and languished air, By love are driven away; And mournful lean Despair Brings me yew to deck my grave: Such end true lovers have. His face is fair as heaven When springing buds unfold; Oh, why to him was 't given Whose heart is wintry cold? His breast is love's all-worshipped tomb Where all love's pilgrims come. Bring me an axe and spade, Bring me a winding sheet; When I my grave have made, Let winds and tempest beat; Then down I'll lie as cold as clay. True love doth pass away! SONG. Memory, hither come And tune your merry notes; And while upon the wind Your music floats, I'll pore upon the stream Where sighing lovers dream, And fish for fancies as they pass I'll drink of the clear stream, And when night comes I'll go To places fit for woe, Walking along the darkened valley, With silent Melancholy. MAD SONG. The wild winds weep, And my griefs enfold: Over the eastern steeps, And the rustling beds of dawn The earth do scorn. Lo! to the vault Of paved heaven With sorrow fraught My notes are driven; They strike the ear of night, Make weak the eyes of day; They make mad the roaring winds Like a fiend in a cloud With howling woe After night I do crowd And with night will go; I turn my back to the east From whence comforts have increased; For light doth seize my brain With frantic pain. TO THE MUSES. Whether on Ida's shady brow, Where the melodious winds have birth; Whether on crystal rocks ye rove How have you left your ancient love [From Songs of Innocence.] INTRODUCTION. Piping down the valleys wild, 'Pipe a song about a lamb:' 'Drop thy pipe, thy happy pipe, 'Piper, sit thee down and write THE LAMB. Little lamb, who made thee? Little lamb, who made thee? Little lamb I'll tell thee; Little lamb, I'll tell thee. Little lamb, God bless thee! NIGHT. The sun descending in the west, The evening star does shine; And I must seek for mine. |