THE POPLAK AND THE WILLOW. 



113 



again is the willow introduced in the account of the 

 death of Ophelia : 



" There is a willow grows ascant the brook, 

 That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream; 



* * * # * 



There on the pendent boughs her coronet weeds 

 Clambering to hang, an envious sliver broke ; 

 When down her weedy trophies, and herself, 

 Fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread wide; 

 And, mermaid- like, awhile they bore her up : 

 Which time, she chanted snatches of old tunes ; 

 As one incapable of her own distress; 

 Or like a creature native and indued 



