IV. There a wide Common, blackened though and dreary V. So might a King, turning to Arts' rich treasure, VI. Towards the West I turn my weary spirit, And watch my pictures: one each night is mine. VII. There I have seen a sunset's crimson glory, Light up the misty world with dying rays. VIII. There I have seen the Clouds, in pomp and splendour, Their gold and purple banners all unfurl; There I have watched colours, more faint and tender Than pure and delicate tints upon a pearl. IX. Skies strewn with roses fading, fading slowly, X. Or parted clouds, as if asunder riven By some great angel-and beyond a space XI. Or stern dark walls of cloudy mountain ranges XII. Or in wild wrath the affrighted clouds lay shattered, All in a wealth of ruined splendour scattered, XIII. What land or time can claim the Master Painter, XIV. So there I wait, until the shade has lengthened, I crawl once more back to the sultry town. XV. What Monarch, then, has nobler recreations SENT TO HEAVEN. HAD a message to send her, To her whom my soul loved best; But I had my task to finish, And she was gone home to rest. To rest in the far bright Heaven: I had a message to send her, I placed it, one summer evening, I gave it the Lark, next morning, And I watched it soar and soar; But its pinions grew faint and weary, And it fluttered to earth once more. To the heart of a Rose I told it; I laid it upon a Censer, And I saw the incense rise; But its clouds of rolling silver Could not reach the far blue skies. I cried, in my passionate longing:"Has the earth no Angel-friend Who will carry my Love the message heart desires to send?" That my Then I heard a strain of music, And my heart stood still to hear. |