f* 18 l & 182 .) 
THE CHERWELL WATERLILLY.' 
Bright came the last departing gleam 
To lonely Chenvell’s silent stream. 
And for a moment seemed to smile 
On tall St. Mary’s 1 2 graceful pile. 
But brighter still the glory stood 
On Marston’s 3 wild sequestered wood. 
The lights that through the leaves were sent. 
Of gold and green were richly blent ; — 
Oh ! beautiful they were to see 
Gilding the trunk of many a tree. 
Just as the colours died away 
In evening’s meditative gray ; 
Sweet meadow-flowers were round me spread. 
And many a budding birch-tree shed 
Its woodland perfume there ; 
And from its pinky-clustered boughs 
A fragrance mild the Hawthorn throws 
Upon the tranquil air. 
Deep rung St. Mary’s stately chime 
The holy hour of vesper time, 
And as the solemn sounds I caught. 
Over the distant meadows brought, 
I heard the raptured nightingale 
Tell from yon elmy grove 4 his tale 
Of jealousy and love. 
In thronging notes that seemed to fall 
As faultless and as musical 
As angels strains above ; 
So sweet they cast o’er all things round 
A spell of melody profound ; 
They charmed the river in his flowing, 
They stayed the night wind in his blowing. 
They lulled the Lily to her rest 
Upon the Cherwell’s heaving breast. 
How often doth a wild flower bring 
Fancies and thoughts that seem to spring 
From inmost depths of feeling! 
Nay, often they have power to bless 
With their uncultured loveliness : 
And far into the aching breast 
There goes a heavenly thought of rest 
With their soft influence stealing. 
IIow often, too, can ye unlock, 
Dear wildings, with a gentle shock, 
The fountains of the heart. 
And bid Religion sweetly rise 
Before the mourner’s tearful eyes 
To do her holy part. 
1 This very beautiful Poem appeared in Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine 
for November, 1836. 
2 The Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Oxford. 
3 A small village on the banks of the Chcrwell, about a mile N. E. from Oxford. 
4 Magdalen College Grove, the East side of which is bounded by a branch of the 
river Clierwell, 
