(Such have I seen) whom chance of birth 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; For, of that band of rushing Deer, Hath stopped, and fixed its large full eye 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, Drew softly near her Stopped once again; and more near, -but, as no trace Was found of any thing to fear, Even to her feet the Creature came, And looked into the Lady's face, A look of pure benignity, The pleading look the Lady viewed, And, by her gushing thoughts subdued, A flood of tears, that flowed apace Oh, moment ever blest! O Pair! Beloved of heaven, heaven's choicest care, This was for you a precious greeting, — For both a bounteous, fruitful meeting. Joined are they, and the sylvan Doe Can she depart? can she forego The Lady, once her playful Peer, And now her sainted Mistress dear? And will not Emily receive This lovely Chronicler of things Lone Sufferer! will not she believe That day, the first of a re-union Which was to teem with high communion, That day of balmy April weather, They tarried in the wood together. The Master of whose humble board Once owned her Father for his Lord; A Hut, by tufted Trees defended, pace Where Rylstone Brook with Wharf is blended. When Emily by morning light Went forth, the Doe was there in sight. So doth the Sufferer deem it good Even once again this neighbourhood To leave.. Unwooed, yet unforbidden, The White Doe followed up the Vale, That calmed her, cheered, and fortified? For she hath ventured now to read Of time, and place, and thought, and deed, Endless history that lies In her silent Follower's eyes! 3 Who with a power like human Reason Discerns the favourable season, Skilled to approach or to retire, From looks conceiving her desire, From look, deportment, voice, or mien, Walked quick or slowly, every mood How pleased, when down the Straggler sank How soothed, when in thick bower enclosed, They like a nested Pair reposed! Fair Vision! when it crossed the Maid Within some rocky cavern laid, The dark cave's portal gliding by, Floating through an azure sky. What now is left for pain or fear? That Presence, dearer and more dear, Did now a very gladness yield At morning to the dewy field, While they, side by side, were straying, |