THE SLEEPING BEAUTY.

There was intoxication in the air;

The wind, keen blowing from across the seas,

O'er leagues of new-ploughed land and heathery leas,

Smelt of wild gorse whose gold flamed everywhere.

An undertone of song pulsed far and near,

The soaring larks filled heaven with ecstasies,

And, like a living clock among the trees,

The shouting cuckoo struck the time of year.

For now the Sun had found the earth once more,

And woke the Sleeping Beauty with a kiss;

Who thrilled with light of love in every pore,

Opened her flower-blue eyes, and looked in his.

Then all things felt life fluttering at their core —

The world shook mystical in lambent bliss.