Page:Felicia Hemans in The New Monthly Magazine Volume 42 1834.pdf/11



Oh! what a joy to feel that in my breast The founts of childhood's vernal fancies lay Still pure, though heavily and long repress'd    By early-blighted leaves, which o'er their way Dark summer-storms had heaped! But free, glad play Once more was given them;—to the sunshine's glow, And the sweet wood-song's penetrating flow, And to the wandering primrose-breath of May, And the rich hawthorn odours, forth they sprung, Oh! not less freshly bright, that now a thought Of spiritual presence o'er them hung, And of immortal life!—a germ, unwrought In childhood's soul to power, now strong, serene, And full of love and light, colouring the whole blest scene!