Gentle as dew, a summer shower
In beauty bathed tree, herb, and flower,
And told the stream to murmur on
With quicker dance and livelier tone.
The mist lay steady on the fell,
While lustre steeped each smiling dell,
Such wild and fairy contrast made
The magic power of light and shade.
Through trees a little bridge was seen,
Glittering with yellow, red, and green,
As o’er the moss with playful glide
The sunbeam danced from side to side,
And made the ancient arch to glow
Various as Heaven’s reflected bow.
Within the dripping grove was heard
Rustle or song of joyful bird;
The stir of rapture filled the air
From unseen myriads mingling there,
Life lay entranced in sinless mirth,
And Nature’s hymn swam o’er the earth!
In this sweet hour of peace and love,
I chanced from restless joy to move,
When by my side a being stood
Fairer than Naiad of the flood,
Or her who ruled the forest scene
In days of yore, the Huntress Queen.
Wildness, subdued by quiet grace,
Played o’er the vision’s radiant face,
Radiant with spirit fit to steer
Her flight around the starry sphere,
Yet, willing to sink down in rest
Upon a guardian mortal breast.
Her eyes were rather soft than bright,
And, when a smile half-closed their light,
They seemed amid the gleam divine
Like stars scarce seen through fair moonshine!
While ever, as with sportive air,
She lightly waved her clustering hair,
A thousand gleams the motion made,
Danced o’er the auburn’s darker shade.
O Mary! I had known thee long,
Amid the gay, the thoughtless throng,
Where mien leaves modesty behind,
And manner takes the place of mind;
Where woman, though delightful still,
Quits Nature’s ease for Fashion’s skill,
Hides, by the gaudy gloss of art,
The simple beauty of her heart,
And, born to lift our souls to heaven,
Strives for the gaze despised when given,
Forgets her being’s godlike power
To shine the wonder of an hour.
Oft had I sighed to think that thou,
An angel fair, couldst stoop so low;
And as with light and airy pride,
‘Mid worldly souls I saw thee glide,
Wasting those smiles that love with tears
Might live on all his bless
(John Wilson)
More Poetry from John Wilson:
John Wilson Poems based on Topics: Love, Fairness, Heaven, Joy & Excitement, Light, Smiling, Nature, Mind, Faces, Beauty, Pride- The Children's Dance (John Wilson Poems)
- Lines -- Sacred to the Memory of the Rev. James Grahame, Author of "The Sabbath," etc. (John Wilson Poems)
- The Magic Mirror (John Wilson Poems)
- Edderline's Dream. Canto First (John Wilson Poems)
- Address To A Wild Deer In The Forest Of Dalness, Argyllshire (John Wilson Poems)
- A Lay Of Fairy Land (John Wilson Poems)