The small, earth-keeping birds were seen And through the clefts of newer green And with a gayer smile and bow The low-slouch'd hat was backward thrown, And Melanie, with lips apart, And claspéd hands upon my arm, Flung open her impassion'd heart, And bless'd life's mere and breathing charm, And sang old songs, and gather'd flowers, And passionately bless'd once more life's thrilling hours. In happiness and idleness We wandered down yon sunny valeOh mocking eyes -a golden tress Floats back upon this summer gale! A foot is tripping on the grass! A laugh rings merry in mine ear! I see a bounding shadow pass! O God! my sister once was here! Come with me, friend!—We rested yon! There grew a flower she pluck'd and wore! She sat upon this mossy stone !— That broken fountain running o'er And said, "Perhaps the gossip tells And as her laugh rang clear and wild, He gave the greeting of the morn By those two words so calm and clear. And he was pale and marble fair, And Grecian chisel never caught The soul in those slight features wrought. I watch'd his graceful step of pride, Till hidden by yon leaning tree, And lov'd him ere the echo died; And so, alas! did Melanie ! We sat and watch'd the fount awhile Of sympathy, we saunter'd on; And she by sudden fits was gay, (Whose hurrying waters wild and white I chanced to turn my eyes away, The youthful painter, sleeping, lay! And near him as I lightly crept, To see the picture as he slept, Upon his feet he lightly sprung; And gazing with a wild surprise Upon the face of Melanie, He said and dropp'd his earnest eyes— "Forgive me! but I dream'd of thee!" His sketch, the while, was in my hand, And, for the lines I look'd to trace A torrent by a palace spann'd, Half-classic and half fairy-landI only found my sister's face! III. Our life was changed. Another love She who had smiled for me alone- It seemed to me the very skies Had shone through those averted eyes; The air had breath'd of balm-the flower Of radiant beauty seemed to be But as she lov'd them, hour by hour, And murmur'd of that love to me! Oh, though it be so heavenly high The selfishness of earth above, That, of the watchers in the sky, He sleeps who guards a brother's loveThough to a sister's present weal The deep devotion far transcends The utmost that the soul can feel For even its own higher ends Though next to God, and more than heaven For his own sake, he loves her, even 'Tis difficult to see another, A passing stranger of a day Who never hath been friend or brother, Pluck with a look her heart away— Ne'er kiss'd before without å prayer, Who for the boon took little care Who is enrich'd, he knows not why |