Darkling I listen; and for many a time I have been half in love with easeful Death, Still wouldst thou sing, and I have ears in vain Thou wast not born for death, immortal Bird! Through the sad heart of Ruth, when sick for home, The same that oft-times hath Charm'd magic casements, opening on the foam Forlorn! the very word is like a bell To toll me back from thee to my sole self! Adieu! the fancy cannot cheat so well 55 60 65 70 As she is famed to do, deceiving elf. Adieu! adieu! thy plaintive anthem fades 75 Past the near meadows, over the still stream, Was it a vision, or a waking dream? Fled is that music: do I wake or sleep? 80 ON FIRST LOOKING INTO CHAPMAN'S HOMER. MUCH have I travell'd in the realms of gold, Oft of one wide expanse had I been told He stared at the Pacific - and all his men 5 ΙΟ 14 SHELLEY. LINES WRITTEN AMONG THE EUGANEAN HILLS. MANY a green isle needs must be Day and night, and night and day, And sinks down, down, like that sleep Weltering through eternity; Of a dark and distant shore Still recedes, as ever still Longing with divided will, But no power to seek or shun, He is ever drifted on O'er the unreposing wave To the haven of the grave. What, if there no friends will greet? 25 |