A Forest Idyl

Beneath an old beech-tree They sat together, Fair as a flower was she Of summer weather. They spoke of life and love, While, through the boughs above, The sunlight, like a dove, Dropped many a feather. II. And there the violet, The bluet near it, Made blurs of azure wet As if some spirit, Or woodland dream, had gone Sprinkling the earth with dawn, When only Fay and Faun Could see or hear it. III. She with her young, sweet face And eyes gray-beaming, Made of that forest place A spot for dreaming: A spot for Oreads To smooth their nut-brown braids, For Dryads of the glades To dance in, gleaming. IV. So dim the place, so blest, One had not wondered Had Dian's moonéd breast The deep leaves sundered, And there on them awhile The goddess deigned to smile, While down some forest aisle. The far hunt thundered. V. I deem that hour perchance Was but a mirror To show them Earth's romance And draw them nearer: A mirror where, meseems, All that this Earth-life dreams, All loveliness that gleams, Their souls saw clearer. VI. Beneath an old beech-tree They dreamed of blisses; Fair as a flower was she That summer kisses: They spoke of dreams and days, Of love that goes and stays, Of all for which life prays, Ah me! and misses.