nd scattering them in fragments underfoot. or such appear the petals when detached, "This indeed," ied she, "is large and sweet." She held one forth, hether for me to look at or to take e knew not, nor did I; but taking it ould best have solved (and this she felt) her doubt. I her own self; fresh, full, the most mature opped it, as loath to drop it, on the rest. Walter Savage Landor 3 A WINNOWER OF WHEAT TO THE WINDS1 you, aërial band, Two Who fly above the land With transitory wings, And whistling on your way The greenwood shadows sway In gentle balancings, The translation is by George Wyndham, and is reprinted with the mission of Macmillan & Co., Ltd. 224 F I give these violets, And these roses to you, Roses to wonder on, Being so newly blown, And these carnations too. With breathing sweet and soft, Blow hither o'er the croft, Blow hither o'er the lay: The weary while I strain Through the white heat of day. Joachim du Bellay A MODERN GEORGIC THE STEAM THRESHING-MACHINE WITH THE STRAW CARRIER LUSH with the pond the lurid furnace burned At eve, while smoke and vapor filled the yard; While, ever rising on its mystic stair In the dim light, from secret chambers borne, I thought of mind and matter, will and law, Croft: field Lay: lea, meadow 25 WHEN icicles hang by the wall, WHEN And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail; Tu-who! A merry note! While greasy Joan doth keel the pot. When all about the wind doth blow, And Marian's nose looks red and raw; Tu-who! A merry note! While greasy Joan doth keel the pot. 26 William Shakespeare THE GRASSHOPPER1 APPY insect, what can be HAPP In happiness compared to thee? Fed with nourishment divine, And thy verdant cup does fill; 1 Translated by Abraham Cowley. eel: cool by stirring 'Tis filled wherever thou dost tread, Thou dost drink and dance and sing, More harmonious than he. Thee country hinds with gladness hear, Prophet of the ripened year! Thee Phoebus loves, and does inspire; Phoebus is himself thy sire. To thee, of all things upon earth, Life is no longer than thy mirth. Dost neither age nor winter know; But when thou'st drunk and danced and sung (Voluptuous and wise withal, Sated with thy summer feast, Anacreon : ?27 ON A FAVORITE CAT, DROWNED IN A TUB OF GOLDFISHES 'WAS on a lofty vase's side, 'TW Where China's gayest art had dyed Demurest of the tabby kind, Her conscious tail her joy declared: Her coat that with the tortoise vies, Still had she gazed, but 'midst the tide The hapless Nymph with wonder saw: With many an ardent wish She stretched, in vain, to reach the prize- What Cat's averse to Fish? Presumptuous maid! with looks intent |