OCCASIONAL POEMS. 593 



II. OCCASIONAL PIECES. 



EEFLEX MUSINGS : 

 BEFLECTTON FROM VARIOUS SURFACES. 



18th April 1853. 

 IN the dense entangled street, 



Where the web of Trade is weaving, 

 Forms unknown in crowds I meet 



Much of each and all believing ; 



Each his small designs achieving 

 Hurries on with restless feet, 



While, through Fancy's power deceiving, 

 Self in every form I greet. 



Oft in yonder rocky dell 



Neath the birches' shadow seated, 

 I have watched the darksome well, 



Where my stooping form, repeated, 



Now advanced and now retreated 

 With the spring's alternate swell, 



Till destroyed before completed 

 As the big drops grew and fell. 



By the hollow mountain-side 



Questions strange I shout for ever, 

 While the echoes far and wide 



Seem to mock my vain endeavour ; 



Still I shout, for though they never 

 Cast my borrowed voice aside, 



Words from empty words they sever 

 Words of Truth from words of Pride. 



Yes, the faces in the crowd, 



And the wakened echoes, glancing 

 From the mountain, rocky browed, 



And the lights in water dancing 

 2 Q 



