What woe into the startled spirit sank, When first it knew the inaudible recall,-- When first in the illimitable blank It touched the crystal wall! 20 Far spreads this mystery of death and sin, Year beyond year in gloomy tumult rolls; And day encircling day clasps closer in Our solitary souls. O for the time when in our seraph wings 25 We veil our brows before the Eternal Throne-- The day when drinking knowledge at its springs, We know as we are known. _Thomas Burbidge._ CCLXV _THE PALM-TREE AND THE PINE._ Beneath an Indian palm a girl Of other blood reposes; Her cheek is clear and pale as pearl, Amid that wild of roses. Beside a northern pine a boy 5 Is learning fancy-bound, Nor listens where with noisy joy Awaits the impatient hound. Cool grows the sick and feverish calm, Relaxt the frosty twine; 10 The pine-tree dreameth of the palm, The palm-tree of the pine. As soon shall nature interlace Those dimly-visioned boughs, As these young lovers face to face 15 Renew their early vows. _Lord Houghton._ CCLXVI _A SUMMER REMINISCENCE._ I hear no more the locust beat His shrill loud drum through all the day; I miss the mingled odours sweet Of clover and of scented hay. No more I hear the smothered song 5 From hedges guarded thick with thorn: The days grow brief, the nights are long, The light comes like a ghost at morn. I sit before my fire alone, And idly dream of all the past: 10 I think of moments that are flown-- Alas! they were too sweet to last. The warmth that filled the languid noons-- The purple waves of trembling haze-- The liquid light of silver moons-- 15 The summer sunset’s golden blaze. I feel the soft winds fan my cheek, I hear them murmur through the rye, I see the milky clouds that seek Some nameless harbour in the sky. 20 The stile beside the spreading pine, The pleasant fields beyond the grove, The lawn where, underneath the vine, She sang the song I used to love. The path along the windy beach, 25 That leaves the shadowy linden tree, And goes by sandy capes that reach Their shining arms to clasp the sea. I view them all, I tread once more In meadow-grasses cool and deep; 30 I walk beside the sounding shore, I climb again the wooded steep.