And in the warm hedge grew lush eglantine, 



Green cowbind and the moonlight-coloured may. 



And cherry-blossoms, and white cups, whose wine 

 Was the bright dew, yet drained not by the day ; 



And wild roses, and ivy serpentine, 

 With its dark buds and leaves, wandering astray ; 



And flowers azure, black, and streaked with gold, 



Fairer than any wakened eyes behold. 



And nearer to the river's trembling edge 



There grew broad flag-flowers, purple prankt with 

 white. 

 And starry river-buds among the sedge. 



And floating water-lilies, broad and bright, 

 Which lit the oak that overhung the hedge 



With moonUght beams of their own watery light ; 

 And bulrushes, and reeds of such deep green 

 As soothed the dazzled eye with sober sheen. 



Methought that of these visionary flowers 



I made a nosegay, bound in such a way 

 That the same hues, which in their natural bowers 



Were mingled or opposed, the Hke array 

 Kept these imprisoned children of the Hours 



Within my hand, — and then, elate and gay, 

 I hastened to the spot whence I had come. 

 That I might there present it ! — oh, to whom ? 



SHELLEY. 



13 



