[Quasi-shell-discussion] To love the world and its wild laughter too, As he had known before; and

[Seemer <rea...@da...>]

 wherein to sit and sing: And peasant girls would find him sauntering, To gaze upon their features, as they met, In laughter, under some green arboret. At last, he became monk, and, on his knees, Said holy prayers, and with wild penances Made sad atonement;
and the solemn whim, That, like a shadow, loiter'd over him, Wore off, even like a
shadow. He was cursed With none of the mad thoughts
that were at first The poison of his quiet; but he grew To love the world and its wild laughter too, As he had known before; and wish'd again To join the very mirth he hated then! He durst not break the vow--he durst not be The one he would--and his heart's harmony Became a tide of sorrow. Even so, He felt hope die,--in madness and in woe! But there came one--and
a most lovely one As ever to the warm light of the sun Threw back her tresses,--a

fair sister girl,

With a brow changing between snow and pearl, And the blue eyes of sadness, fill'd with dew Of tears,--like Heaven's own melancholy blue,-- So beautiful, so tender; and her form Was graceful
as a rainbow in a storm, Scattering gladness on the face of

sorrow-- Oh! I had fancied of the hues that borrow
Their brightness from the
sun; but she was bright In her own self,--a mystery of light! With feelings tender as a star's own hue, Pure as the morning star! as true, as true; F