The placid lake that rested far below
Softly embosoming another sky,
Still as we gazed assumed a lovelier glow,
And seemed to send us looks of amity.

The rains at length have ceased, the winds are stilled,
The stars shine brightly between clouds at rest,
And as a cavern is with darkness filled,
The vale is by a mighty sound possessed.

No whimsy of the purse is here,
No Pleasure-House forlorn;
Use, Comfort do this roof endear;
A tributary Shed to cheer
The little Cottage that is near,
To help it and adorn.

Farewell to North Devon

Where man's profane and tainting hand
Nature's primaeval loveliness has marred,
And some few souls of the high bliss debarred
Which else obey her powerful command;
. . . mountain piles
That load in grandeur Cambria's emerald vales.

To Harriet

Ever as now with Love and Virtue's glow
May thy unwithering soul not cease to burn,
Still may thine heart with those pure thoughts o'erflow
Which force from mine such quick and warm return.

The rude wind is singing
The dirge of the music dead;
The cold worms are clinging
Where kisses were lately fed.

Simple, spontaneous, curious, two souls interchanging,
With the original testimony for us continued to the last.

In dreams I was a ship, and sail'd the boundless seas,
Sailing and ever sailing — all seas and into every port, or out upon the offing,
Saluting, cheerily hailing each mate, met or pass'd, little or big,
" Ship ahoy!" thro' trumpet or by voice — if nothing more, some friendly merry word at least,
For companionship and good will for ever to all and each.

When soft winds and sunny skies
With the green earth harmonize,
And the young and dewy dawn,
Bold as an unhunted fawn,
Up the windless heaven is gone,--
Laugh--for ambushed in the day,--
Clouds and whirlwinds watch their prey.

What waste in the labour of Chariot and Steed!
For this came ye hither? is this your delight?
There are twenty-four letters, and those ye can read;
But Nature's ten thousand are Blanks in your sight.
Then throw by your Books, and the study begin;
Or sleep, and be blameless, and wake at Your Inn!