A Swan’s Song.
’Mid lilied reaches of the Thames we guided1
Our boat—content, serene.2
If heart with heart e’er mingle, undivided,3
That day nought came between4
To break the spell that bound us, as we glided5
Thro’ dappled gold and green.6
You sang ! There was no other sound in Nature,7
Thro’ all the woods of June—8
The great heat stilled each voiceful woodland creature9
That golden afternoon :10
Till your voice broke the calm ; with Love for teacher,11
You sang a quaint, old tune.12
You ceased. Ah, was it Echo long a-dying,13
That sad, sweet, wailing note ?14
Each over each, the lilies idly lying,15
Rocked with our drifting boat—16
While, with hush’d breath, we heard the death-song sighing17
From a wild swan’s white throat.18
We saw no form, but from the greenwood’s centre19
Uprose the wild, clear cry :20
Perchance such strength in death’s dark hour was lent
her21
To reach and pierce the sky ;22
Perchance the Paradise she longed to enter23
Rolled open to her eye.24
******
Hush’d breath, clasped hands, full hearts, thro’ summer even25
Our light boat sought the shore,26
As Charles’s Wain, with all its star-points seven,27
Drove through the golden floor.28
Ah, love, we two have had our glimpse of Heaven—29
A joy for evermore !30