Page:Ambarvalia - Clough (1849).djvu/131

 Then on the garden seat in haste The fragrant spoil we ranged, And oft their place beneath thy taste The patient buds exchanged: Nor few the nosegays to be wrought In honour of the day, For in that household none was thought Too humble to be gay.

And what sweet eves come slanting bright Across the emerald floor! What voices rise, like founts of light! —Now dark for evermore! What laughter on the still air rings! Alas that laughters die (Such foresight clogs even lightest things) In action of a sigh.

The thunders of the battledore Assault the day's decline! The lamp within shines more and more, The chimes are jangling nine! Confusion on thee, drudging clock! We only own to-day Time vaulting with the shuttlecock That leads our joyful play.