All precious things, discover’d late, To those who seek them issue forth; For love in sequel works with fate, And draws the veil from hidden worth. He travels far from other skies— 85 His mantle glitters on the rocks— A fairy Prince, with joyful eyes, And lighter-footed than the fox. II. The bodies and the bones of those That strove in other days to pass, 90 Are wither’d in the thorny close, Or scatter’d blanching on the grass. He gazes on the silent dead: ‘They perish’d in their daring deeds.’ This proverb flashes thro’ his head, 95 ‘The many fail: the one succeeds.’ III. He comes, scarce knowing what he seeks: He breaks the hedge: he enters there: The colour flies into his cheeks: He trusts to light on something fair; 100 For all his life the charm did talk About his path, and hover near With words of promise in his walk, And whisper’d voices in his ear. IV. More close and close his footsteps wind; 105 The Magic Music in his heart Beats quick and quicker, till he find The quiet chamber far apart. His spirit flatters like a lark, He stoops—to kiss her—on his knee. 110 ‘Love, if thy tresses be so dark, How dark those hidden eyes must be!’ THE REVIVAL. I. A touch, a kiss! the charm was snapt. There rose a noise of striking clocks; And feet that ran, and doors that clapt, 115 And barking dogs, and crowing cocks; A fuller light illumined all, A breeze thro’ all the garden swept, A sudden hubbub shook the hall, And sixty feet the fountain leapt. 120 II. The hedge broke in, the banner blew, The butler drank, the steward scrawl’d, The fire shot up, the martin flew, The parrot scream’d, the peacock squall’d, The maid and page renew’d their strife, 125 The palace bang’d, and buzz’d and clackt, And all the long pent stream of life Dash’d downward in a cataract. III. And last with these the king awoke, And in his chair himself uprear’d, 130 And yawn’d, and rubb’d his face, and spoke, ‘By holy rood, a royal beard! How say you? we have slept, my lords. My beard has grown into my lap.’ The barons swore, with many words, 135 ’Twas but an after-dinner’s nap. IV. ‘Pardy,’ return’d the king, ‘but still My joints are something stiff or so. My lord, and shall we pass the bill I mention’d half an hour ago?’ 140 The chancellor, sedate and vain, In courteous words return’d reply: But dallied with his golden chain, And, smiling, put the question by. THE DEPARTURE. I.