THE SLEEPING BEAUTY.
There was intoxication in the air ;
The wind, keen blowing from across the seas,
O'er leagues of new-ploughed land and heathery leas,
Smelt of wild gorse whose gold flamed everywhere.
An undertone of song pulsed far and near,
The soaring larks filled heaven with ecstasies.
And, like a living clock among the trees.
The shouting cuckoo struck the time of year.
For now the Sun had found the earth once more,
And woke the Sleeping Beauty with a kiss ;
Who thrilled with light of love in every pore,
Opened her Hower-blue eyes, and looked in his.
Then all things felt life fluttering at their core —
The world shook mystical in lambent bliss.
APPLE-BLOSSOM.
Blossom of the apple trees!
Mossy trunks all gnarled and hoary.
Grey boughs tipped with rose-veined glory.
Clustered petals soft as fleece
Garlanding old apple trees !
How you gleam at break of day !
When the coy sun, glancing rarely,
Pouts and sparkles in the pearly
Pendulous dewdrops, twinkling gay
On each dancing leaf and spray.
