Page:Stanzas on an Ancient Superstition (1864).djvu/13

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Or yet, perchance, their glance might now recall
 * The scene whore childhood viewed the starry dome

Bent circling o’er their blest abode; where all
 * The world was centred, and each lovely bloom
 * Its birth-place had; as if for that dear home

The sun was made to shine and stars appear,
 * While sombre clouds or threatening storms would come,

As comes the ungenial shade of gloomy care On boyhood’s sunny brow, unmeant to linger there.

Dear home of childhood! some kind fairy dwells
 * In your enchanted scenes, and bids you share

Our love, and clothes you with her subtle spells!
 * Sentient you seem; your flowers, methinks, may hear
 * The maiden’s sigh, when heaves her bosom near

Your blushing buds, from sight of all afar,
 * Nor tell the wanton breeze that wanders there,

Nor the enamored bee, nor twinkling star, That bosom’s secret love, or what its utterings are.

There oft, with musing gaze, the sunset light
 * In boyhood they had viewed on grove and rill,

Till, dancing up from shrubby height to height,
 * It glanced its sportive beam from hill to hill,

And, from the mountain-top, in joyance still, Leapt to the clouds, and peeped from pillows piled
 * Of beauteous hues, ere Evening drew her veil

Around its couch; then, like a rosy child, It sunk to placid rest, and in its slumber smiled.