THE WOOD

    But two miles more, and then we rest！ Well, there is still an hour of day, And long the brightness of the West Will light us on our devious¹ way； Sit then, awhile, here in this wood—— So total is the solitude², We safely may delay.

    These massive roots afford a seat, Which seems for weary travellers made. There rest. The air is soft and sweet In this sequestered⁴ forest glade⁵, And there are scents⁶ of flowers around, The evening dew draws from the ground； How soothingly⁷ they spread！

    Yes； I was tired, but not at heart； No——that beats full of sweet content, For now I have my natural part Of action with adventure blent； Cast forth⁸ on the wide world with thee, And all my once waste energy To weighty purpose bent⁹.

    Yet——sayst thou, spies around us roam, Our aims are termed conspiracy¹⁰？ Haply, no more our English home An anchorage for us may be？ That there is risk our mutual¹¹ blood May redden in some lonely wood The knife of treachery？

    Sayst thou, that where we lodge¹³ each night, In each lone¹² farm, or lonelier hall Of Norman Peer——ere morning light Suspicion must as duly fall, As day returns——such vigilance Presides and watches over France, Such rigour governs all？

    I fear not, William； dost thou fear？ So that the knife does not divide, It may be ever hovering¹⁴ near： I could not tremble at thy side, And strenuous¹⁵ love——like mine for thee—— Is buckler strong 'gainst treachery, And turns its stab aside.

    I am resolved that thou shalt learn To trust my strength as I trust thine； I am resolved our souls shall burn With equal, steady, mingling¹⁶ shine； Part of the field is conquered now, Our lives in the same channel flow, Along the self-same line；

    And while no groaning¹⁷ storm is heard, Thou seem'st content it should be so, But soon as comes a warning word Of danger——straight thine anxious brow Bends over me a mournful shade, As doubting if my powers are made To ford³ the floods of woe¹⁸.

    Know, then it is my spirit swells¹⁹, And drinks, with eager joy, the air Of freedom——where at last it dwells, Chartered, a common task to share With thee, and then it stirs alert, And pants to learn what menaced hurt Demands for thee its care.

    Remember, I have crossed the deep, And stood with thee on deck, to gaze On waves that rose in threatening heap, While stagnant²⁰ lay a heavy haze²¹, Dimly confusing sea with sky, And baffling, even, the pilot's eye, Intent to thread the maze- Of rocks, on Bretagne's dangerous coast, And find a way to steer²² our band To the one point obscure, which lost, Flung us, as victims, on the strand；—— All, elsewhere, gleamed the Gallic sword, And not a wherry could be moored²³ Along the guarded land.

    I feared not then——I fear not now； The interest of each stirring scene Wakes a new sense, a welcome glow, In every nerve and bounding vein²⁴ ； Alike on turbid²⁵ Channel sea, Or in still wood of Normandy, I feel as born again.

    The rain descended²⁶ that wild morn When, anchoring in the cove²⁷ at last, Our band, all weary and forlorn Ashore²⁸, like wave-worn sailors, cast-Sought for a sheltering roof in vain, And scarce could scanty²⁹ food obtain To break their morning fast.

    Thou didst thy crust with me divide, Thou didst thy cloak around me fold； And, sitting silent by thy side, I ate the bread in peace untold³⁰： Given kindly³¹ from thy hand, 'twas sweet As costly³² fare or princely treat On royal plate of gold.

    Sharp blew the sleet³³ upon my face, And, rising wild, the gusty³⁴ wind Drove on those thundering waves apace, Our crew so late had left behind； But, spite of frozen shower and storm, So close to thee, my heart beat warm, And tranquil³⁵ slept my mind.

    So now——nor foot-sore nor opprest With walking all this August day, I taste a heaven in this brief rest, This gipsy-halt beside the way. England's wild flowers are fair to view, Like balm is England's summer dew Like gold her sunset ray.

    But the white violets, growing here, Are sweeter than I yet have seen, And ne'er did dew so pure and clear Distil³⁶ on forest mosses³⁷ green, As now, called forth by summer heat, Perfumes our cool and fresh retreat—— These fragrant³⁸ limes between.

    That sunset！ Look beneath the boughs³⁹, Over the copse——beyond the hills； How soft, yet deep and warm it glows, And heaven with rich suffusion⁴⁰ fills； With hues⁴¹ where still the opal's tint⁴², Its gleam of prisoned fire is blent, Where flame through azure⁴³ thrills！

    Depart we now——for fast will fade That solemn splendour of decline, And deep must be the after-shade As stars alone to-night will shine； No moon is destined——pale——to gaze On such a day's vast Phoenix⁴⁴ blaze, A day in fires decayed！

    There——hand-in-hand we tread again The mazes⁴⁵ of this varying wood, And soon, amid a cultured plain, Girt in with fertile solitude, We shall our resting-place descry⁴⁶, Marked by one roof-tree, towering high Above a farmstead rude.

    Refreshed, erelong, with rustic⁴⁷ fare, We'll seek a couch of dreamless ease； Courage will guard thy heart from fear, And Love give mine divinest peace： To-morrow brings more dangerous toil⁴⁸, And through its conflict and turmoil⁴⁹ We'll pass, as God shall please.