Page:Writings of Oscar Wilde - Volume 01.djvu/52

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 * The pine-tops rocked before the evening breeze

With the hoarse murmur of the wintry seas, And the tall stems were streaked with amber bright;— I wandered through the wood in wild delight, Some startled bird, with fluttering wings and fleet, Made snow of all the blossoms: at my feet, Like silver crowns, the pale narcissi lay, And small birds sang on every twining spray. O waving trees, O forest liberty! Within your haunts at least a man is free, And half forgets the weary world of strife: The blood flows hotter, and a sense of life Wakes i' the quickening veins, while once again The woods are filled with gods we fancied slain. Long time I watched, and surely hoped to see Some goat-foot Pan make merry minstrelsy Amid the reeds! some startled Dryad-maid In girlish flight! or lurking in the glade, The soft brown limbs, the wanton treacherous face Of woodland god! Queen Dian in the chase,