Page:Poems, Alan Seeger, 1916.djvu/63

 And, parting tangled bushes as I passed

Down beechen allies beautiful and dim,

Perhaps by some deep-shaded pool at last

My feet would pause, where goldfish poise and swim,

And snowy callas' velvet cups are massed

Around the mossy, fern-encircled brim.

Here, then, that magic summoning would cease,

Or sound far off again among the orchard trees.

And here where the blanched lilies of the vale

And violets and yellow star-flowers teem,

And pink and purple hyacinths exhale

Their heavy fume, once more to drowse and dream

My head would sink, from many an olden tale

Drawing imagination's fervid theme,

Or haply peopling this enchanting spot

Only with fair creations of fantastic thought.

For oft I think, in years long since gone by,

That gentle hearts dwelt here and gentle hands

Stored all this bowery bliss to beautify

The paradise of some unsung romance;

Here, safe from all except the loved one's eye,

'Tis sweet to think white limbs were wont to glance,

Well pleased to wanton like the flowers and share

Their simple loveliness with the enamored air.

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