IN PRAISE OF GARDENS 



Clasped within the linden's root, 

 Took me in a chair of silence very rare and ab- 

 solute. 



All the floor was paved with glory, 

 Greenily, silently inlaid 

 (Through quick motions made before me) 

 With fair counterparts in shade 

 Of the fair serrated ivy-leaves which slanted 

 overhead. 



" Is such pavement in a palace? " 

 So I questioned in my thought: 

 The sun, shining through the chalice 

 Of the red rose hung without, 

 Threw within a red libation, like an answer to 

 my doubt. 



At the same time, on the linen 

 Of my childish lap there fell 

 Two white May-leaves, downward winning 

 Through the ceiling's miracle, 

 From a blossom, like an angel, but of sight yet 

 blessing well. 



[216] 



