DEDICATED TO

H. E. W.

BOOK I

I

ELEGY

CLEAR and gentle stream! Known and loved so long

That hast heard the song,

And the idle dream

Of my boyish day;
While I once again
Down thy margin stray,
In the selfsame strain
Still my voice is spent,
With my old lament
And my idle dream,
Clear and gentle stream!

Where my old seat was
Here again I sit,

Where the long boughs knit
Over stream and grass

A translucent eaves: Where back eddies play Shipwreck with the leaves, And the proud swans stray, Sailing one by one

Out of stream and sun,

And the fish lie cool

In their chosen pool.

Many an afternoon
Of the summer day
Dreaming here I lay ;
And I know how soon,

Idly at its hour,

First the deep bell hums

From the minster tower,

And then evening comes,
Creeping up the glade,
With her lengthening shade,
And the tardy boon,

Of her brightening moon.