That gives those spirits vigour and delight-- I would describe it, could I do it right. Such days have been--a day of days was one 170 When, rising gaily with the rising sun, I took my way to join a happy few, Known not to me, but whom Matilda knew, To whom she went a guest, and message sent: Come thou to us;’ and as a guest I went. There are two ways to Brandon--by the heath Above the cliff, or on the sand beneath, Where the small pebbles, wetted by the wave, To the new day reflected lustre gave. At first above the rocks I made my way, 180 Delighted looking at the spacious bay, And the large fleet that to the northward steer’d Full sail, that glorious in my view appear’d; For where does man evince his full control O’er subject matter, where displays the soul Its mighty energies with more effect Than when her powers that moving mass direct? Than when man guides the ship man’s art has made, And makes the winds and waters yield him aid? “Much as I long’d to see the maid I loved, 190 Through scenes so glorious I at leisure moved; For there are times when we do not obey The master-passion--when we yet delay-- When absence, soon to end, we yet prolong, And dally with our wish although so strong. “High were my joys, but they were sober too, Nor reason spoil’d the pictures fancy drew; I felt--rare feeling in a world like this-- The sober certainty of waking bliss; Add too the smaller aids to happy men, 200 Convenient helps--these too were present then. “But what are spirits? light indeed and gay } They are, like winter flowers, nor last a day; } Comes a rude icy wind--they feel, and fade away. } “High beat my heart when to the house I came, And when the ready servant gave my name; But when I enter’d that pernicious room, Gloomy it look’d, and painful was the gloom; And jealous was the pain, and deep the sigh Caused by this gloom, and pain, and jealousy: 210 For there Matilda sat, and her beside That rival soldier, with a soldier’s pride; With self-approval in his laughing face, His seem’d the leading spirit of the place. She was all coldness--yet I thought a look, But that corrected, tender welcome spoke: It was as lightning which you think you see, But doubt, and ask if lightning it could be. “Confused and quick my introduction pass’d, When I, a stranger and on strangers cast, 220 Beheld the gallant man as he display’d Uncheck’d attention to the guilty maid. O! how it grieved me that she dared t’ excite Those looks in him that show’d so much delight; Egregious coxcomb! there--he smiled again, As if he sought to aggravate my pain; Still she attends--I must approach--and find,