Page:The Vow of the Peacock.pdf/50

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Whene'er I see that bird it brings A world of long-forgotten things,— Romantic fancies, boldly planned, Her childhood is a fairy land, And scorns to work by common means The fair woof of its future scenes; Hopes which, like dew-drops o'er the plain, The very sunshine turns to rain; Affections long since past away.— But this is vain—on with my lay.

The golden dish is richly chased On which the royal bird is placed; And lovely are the bearers twain, Who there the gorgeous weight sustain. The one is fair, as that meek flower The lily, hiding in her bower;