POEMS.

CLARIBEL.

A MELODY.

WHERE Claribel low-lieth

The breezes pause and die, Letting the rose-leaves fall: But the solemn oak-tree sigheth,

Thick-leaved, ambrosial,

With an ancient melody Of an inward agony, Where Claribel low-lieth.

At eve the beetle boometh

Athwart the thicket lone: At noon the wild bee hummeth About the mossed headstone:

At midnight the moon cometh
And looketh down alone.
Her song the lintwhite swelleth,
The clear-voiced mavis dwelleth,
The fledgling throstle lispeth,
The slumbrous wave outwelleth,
The babbling runnel crispeth,
The hollow grot replieth

Where Claribel low-lieth.

LILIAN.

AIRY, fairy Lilian,

Flitting, fairy Lilian,

When I ask her if she love me,
Claps her tiny hands above me,

Laughing all she can;

She'll not tell me if she love me,
Cruel little Lilian.

When my passion seeks

Pleasance in love-sighs,

She, looking through and through me

Thoroughly to undo me,

Smiling, never speaks:

So innocent-arch, so cunning-simple, From beneath her gathered wimple

Glancing with black-beaded eyes, Till the lightning laughters dimple The baby-roses in her cheeks; Then away she flies.

Prithee weep, May Lilian!

Gayety without eclipse

Wearieth me, May Lilian:

Through my very heart it thrilleth

When from crimson-threaded lips Silver-treble laughter trilleth: Prithee weep, May Lilian.

Praying all I can,

If prayers will not hush thee,

Airy Lilian,

Like a rose-leaf I will crush thee,

Fairy Lilian.