Page:The Poetical Works of William Motherwell, 1849.djvu/298



Spirits of Light! Spirits of Shade! Hark to the voice of your love-craz'd maid, Who singeth all night so merrily, Under the cope of the huge elm tree. The snow may fall, and the bitter wind blow, But still with love must her heart overflow.

The great elm tree is leafy and high, And its topmost branch wanders far up in the sky; It is clothed with leaves from top to toe; For it loveth to hear the wild winds blow,— The winds that travel so fast and free, Over the land, and over the sea, Singing of marvels continuously. The moon on these leaves is shining ever, And they dance like the waves of a gleaming river. But, oft in the night, When her smile shines bright,