Poems, 1799 by Robert Southey
page 43 of 147 (29%)
page 43 of 147 (29%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
I too remember," Madelon replied,
"That hour, thy looks of watchful agony, The suppressed grief that struggled in thine eye Endearing love's last kindness. Thou didst know With what a deep and melancholy joy I felt the hour draw on: but who can speak The unutterable transport, when mine eyes, As from a long and dreary dream, unclosed Amid this peaceful vale, unclos'd on him, My Arnaud! he had built me up a bower, A bower of rest.--See, Maiden, where he comes, His manly lineaments, his beaming eye The same, but now a holier innocence Sits on his cheek, and loftier thoughts illume The enlighten'd glance." They met, what joy was theirs He best can feel, who for a dear friend dead Has wet the midnight pillow with his tears. Fair was the scene around; an ample vale Whose mountain circle at the distant verge Lay softened on the sight; the near ascent Rose bolder up, in part abrupt and bare, Part with the ancient majesty of woods Adorn'd, or lifting high its rocks sublime. The river's liquid radiance roll'd beneath, Beside the bower of Madelon it wound A broken stream, whose shallows, tho' the waves Roll'd on their way with rapid melody, A child might tread. Behind, an orange grove |
|