And so--beneath a mouldered tree, A self-surviving leafless oak 80 By unregarded age from stroke Of ravage saved--sate Emily. There did she rest, with head reclined, Herself most like a stately flower, (Such have I seen) whom chance of birth 85 Hath separated from its kind, To live and die in a shady bower, Single on the gladsome earth. When, with a noise like distant thunder, A troop of deer came sweeping by; 90 And, suddenly, behold a wonder! For One, among those rushing deer,[181] A single One, in mid career Hath stopped, and fixed her[182] large full eye Upon the Lady Emily; 95 A Doe most beautiful, clear-white, A radiant creature, silver-bright! Thus checked, a little while it stayed; A little thoughtful pause it made; And then advanced with stealth-like pace, 100 Drew softly near her, and more near-- Looked round--but saw no cause for fear; So to her feet the Creature came,[183] And laid its head upon her knee, And looked into the Lady's face, 105 A look of pure benignity, And fond unclouded memory. It is, thought Emily, the same, The very Doe of other years!-- The pleading look the Lady viewed, 110 And, by her gushing thoughts subdued, She melted into tears-- A flood of tears, that flowed apace, Upon the happy Creature's face. Oh, moment ever blest! O Pair 115 Beloved of Heaven, Heaven's chosen[184] care, This was for you a precious greeting; And may it prove a fruitful meeting![185] Joined are they, and the sylvan Doe Can she depart? can she forego 120 The Lady, once her playful peer, And now her sainted Mistress dear? And will not Emily receive This lovely chronicler of things Long past, delights and sorrowings? 125 Lone Sufferer! will not she believe The promise in that speaking face; And welcome, as a gift of grace,[186] The saddest thought the Creature brings?[187] That day, the first of a re-union 130 Which was to teem with high communion, That day of balmy April weather, They tarried in the wood together. And when, ere fall of evening dew, She from her[188] sylvan haunt withdrew, 135 The White Doe tracked with faithful pace The Lady to her dwelling-place; That nook where, on paternal ground, A habitation she had found, The Master of whose humble board 140 Once owned her Father for his Lord; A hut, by tufted trees defended, Where Rylstone brook with Wharf is blended.[QQ]