Classic Poem

Straight before me rose
A house where all was hush'd in calm repose;
For 'twas a summer morning, bright and fair,
And none of human kind were near me there.
Before the house there were some lofty trees,
Whose topmost branches felt the morning breeze
And glisten'd in the sunbeams; these among
Were numerous rooks attending on their young,
Whose clamorous cawings, as they hover'd round,
Seem'd to my ear like Music's sweetest sound.
Below, before the house, there was a space,
Where in two rows were set, with bloomy grace,
Orange and lemon trees; which to the sun
Open'd their fragrant blossoms every one;
And round them bees all busily were humming,
Cheerily to their morning labours coming: —
And in the centre of each space beside,
An aloe spread its prickly leaves with pride.


Now in the garden of that house I stray'd,
Its flowers, its mossy turf, its walks survey'd;
Explored each nook and roam'd through each recess
With pleasure and light-hearted carelessness:
Nor was it long before I found a walk
Where I might meditate alone or talk; —
A grassy walk, with lime trees on one side,
Bordering a pond which yet they did not hide;
For here and there upon its rippling bosom
The water-lily oped her dewy blossom;
And, at the end of this sweet walk I found
A grotto, where I listen'd to the sound
Of turtle-doves, which in a room above,
Were tremulously telling tales of love.