X. THE MARSH CIRCLE.

Chimes there are on earth, harmonious splendours, Subtle symphonies of ear and eye, Yea, dim bridals, when the mortal spirit Weds a half-veiled immortality.

Moments, as when some dumb, wistful creature Gazes in its master’s eyes, to find Deeps on deeps, and wins a higher nature By mysterious touch of higher mind.

Whoso sees the deep eyes turned upon him, Nature’s dreamlike radiance, on the height Breathless-happy stands, and draws by seeing Blissful inspiration, clearer sight.

Go where from his rampart Taliesin [23] O’er the beaten gold of the great plain Throws his charm on river, sea, and mountain, Blending all in one bright living strain.

Now a sunny silence makes heart-music, As it comes up smiling o’er the sea; All the hill-sides dimple; on it passes, In and out the enchanted shadows flee.

Now within the coronet of mountains And the sea-fringed margin of the west Nature’s thoughts are stirring, gusts of passion Ruffle the embroidery on her breast.

Far away a trouble on the waters ’Gins to whiten, then a living veil Drops down from the sky, black gleam the headlands, Gleam the hills through drifts of shadowy trail.

And the weird wild freedom of the marshland Stretches, breadths on breadths of level gold, Where the storm-scuds wander, and the rainbow In the midst lets fall its glittering hold.

Broad, bright plain, free wanderland of fancy, Robed in colours, all the sun can weave Out of silver seas, and hill-sides glooming, Molten in the ruddy fires of eve,

Cloth of gold from sands, and silken tissue Spun from the blue distance, threads of white Shot through by the rivers, crimson buddings Of the oak groves flushed with spring delight.

He on whom the deep eyes once have turned their Hidden splendours, be he where he will, Evermore a prophet’s dream enfolding, Walks with yearnings which he ne’er can fill.