184 FLORA AND THALIA. 



A HAPPY COUNTRY DWELLING. 

 Low was our pretty cot ; our tallest rose 

 Peep'd at the chamber window. We could hear, 

 At silent noon, and eve, and early morn. 

 The sea's faint murmur. In the open air 

 Our myrtles blossomed ; and across the porch 

 Thick jasmines twined ; the little landscape round 

 Was green and woody, and refresh'd the eye. 

 It was a spot which you might aptly call 

 The Valley of Seclusion ! Once I saw 

 (Hallowing his sabbath-day by quietncps) 

 A wealthy son of commerce saunter by, 

 Bristowa's citizen ; methought it calm'd 

 His thirst of idle gold, and made him muse 

 With wiser feelings; for he paused, and look'd 

 With a pleased sadness, and he gazed all round, 

 Then eyed our cottage, and gazed round again, 

 And sighed, and said it was a blessed place. 

 And we were blessed. Oft, with patient ear, 

 Long listening to the viewless sky-lark's note, 

 (Viewless, or haply for a moment seen 

 Gleaming on sunny wing) in whisper'd tones 

 I've said to my beloved, " Such, sweet girl ! 

 The inobtrusive song of happiness. 

 Unearthly minstrelsy ! then only heard 

 When the soul seeks to hear, when all is hush'd. 

 And the heart listens !" 



COLERIDGE. 



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