"Ev'ry silver hour
"I will toss my lilies white
"'Gainst thy maiden bower!"




BESIDE THE SEA.


One time he dream'd beside a sea,
That laid a mane of mimic stars;
In fondling quiet on the knee,
Of one tall, pearl'd, cliff--the bars;
Of golden beaches upward swept,
Pine-scented shadows seaward crept.

The full moon swung her ripen'd sphere
As from a vine; and clouds as small
As vine leaves in the opening year
Kissed the large circle of her ball.
The stars gleamed thro' them as one sees
Thro' vine leaves drift the golden bees.

He dream'd beside this purple sea,
Low sang its tranced voice, and he--
He knew not if the wordless strain
Made prophecy of joy or pain;
He only knew far stretch'd that sea,
He knew its name--Eternity!