The entrancement of that time is o’er, A calmer, freer soul is here; I dream not as I dreamed of yore, 15 Awake to sin, awake to fear; I own the earth,--I see, I hear, I feel;--oh, may I dream no more! Farewell, wild world of bygone days, Here let me now more safely tread! 20 I ask no glory’s vagrant blaze, To dance around my shining head: Be peace and hope my crown instead, With love, God willing, for my praise! _Thomas Burbidge._ CCLXII _THE HUMBLE-BEE._ Burly, dozing humble-bee, Where thou art is clime for me. Let them sail for Porto Rique, Far-off heats through seas to seek; I will follow thee alone, 5 Thou animated torrid-zone! Zigzag steerer, desert-cheerer, Let me chase thy waving lines: Keep me nearer, me thy hearer, Singing over shrubs and vines. 10 Insect lover of the sun, Joy of thy dominion! Sailor of the atmosphere; Swimmer through the waves of air; Voyager of light and noon; 15 Epicurean of June; Wait, I prithee, till I come Within earshot of thy hum,-- All without is martyrdom. When the south wind, in May-days, 20 With a net of shining haze Silvers the horizon wall, And, with softness touching all, Tints the human countenance With a colour of romance, 25 And, infusing subtle heats, Turns the sod to violets, Thou, in sunny solitudes, Rover of the underwoods, The green silence dost displace 30 With thy mellow, breezy bass. Hot midsummer’s petted crone, Sweet to me thy drowsy tone Tells of countless sunny hours, Long days, and solid banks of flowers; 35 Of gulfs of sweetness without bound, In Indian wildernesses found; Of Syrian peace, immortal leisure, Firmest cheer, and bird-like pleasure. Aught unsavoury or unclean 40 Hath my insect never seen; But violets and bilberry bells, Maple-sap, and daffodels, Grass with green flag half-mast high, Succory to match the sky, 45 Columbine with horn of honey, Scented fern, and agrimony, Clover, catchfly, adder’s-tongue, And brier-roses, dwelt among; All beside was unknown waste, 50 All was picture as he passed.