Page:Roden Noel - A Little Child's Monument - 1881.pdf/47

Opal shafts of misty shining
Stream athwart the deep ravine,
Where I never cease divining
Tall rude phantom forms that lean
In reverie
Over one another's shoulder,
Solemn guardians of the gorge,
Till a fleecy cloudlet fold her
Wings awhile upon the verge,
A well-beloved guest:
In the gloom of mountain splendour,
In dusk oriental gold
Of their rich raiment, oh, how tender
Seemed the silver-pinioned rover
From a far celestial fold!
Rude earth spirits may but love her,
Nor ever dare to hold
From her rest!
And a smile stole over furrowed
Faces of old earthworn mountain;
To each and all who so had sorrowed
The dewy cloud wits youth's own fountain
Of happiness divine.
Lo! now the loftier heights all hoary
Gleam with white wings of Angel presence,
So fledged with plumes we scarce may know
Sheeny cloud from downy snow,
Until I marvel if, in the glory