107 



LOCAL SCENERY, No. IV. 



COTEHELE. 



Nature arises, like a bride adorned 



In simple loveliness, to meet the smile 



Of ardent Summer — for a voice is heard 



Proclaiming through the vales, he comes, he comes .' 



Like a tiara on her radiant brow 



Repose the last bright blossoms of the Spring, 



And round her path, as hailing ministers. 



Are Love with winged delights, enthusiast Joy, 



Enduring Hope, soul-soothing Sympathy, 



Pale Meditation musing on the past 



And calm Devotion gazing into heaven 



As though she drew an inspiration thence. 



From his high throne the glorious Source of day 



Looks down benign, disperses every gloom, 



And beautifies the laughing earth with light. 



A kindly Spirit — a pervading Power 



Flows through the soul of things, it gives a charm 



Even to the simplest — most unlovely — forms, 



And sheds enchantment deeper than before 



On that which was the fairest. Every bough 



And clasping tendril and depending flower 



Discloses some new grace, and to the winds 



That linger near exhales delicious balm : 



The gentle airs and silver-sounding streams 



Utter melodious tones — a lowly song 



Of sweetest welcome — Summer, Summer comes ! 



A rushing wing has mounted from the glen ! 

 One single voice rejoices through the sky 

 With rich and thrilling melody, the hymn 

 Of daylight's earliest bird, in eager flight — 

 Strung with the freshness of the morning, flushed 

 With opening summer's renovating glow, 

 Arising — rising — rising into heaven. 

 Like a triumphant soul released from earth 

 Intent upon a brighter, happier sphere ; 

 See in the firmament's vast sheet of light 

 He lessens, gradual, to a floating point 

 Almost impalpable to keenest sight. 



