XXIII.

In the first dawn of youth I much admire

The lively boy of ruddy countenance,

Strong-built, and bold, and hardy, with black hair,

And dark brown eye, contrasting its blue-white,

Somewhat abruptly; save in the bright hour

Of inward passion, or of sudden joy;

When, as a monarch, gracious and renown'd,

Amid a crowd of subjects, diverse all,

Thrills with one deep, soft feeling every heart;

Or, as the sun throws his pervading beams

At once on bleak harsh mountains and the sky;

The soul, by union of its light and heat,

Clears and irradiates all, and gives to strength

A mellow sweetness; hues late undefin'd

Grow more intense, or, if discordant, lose

Their coarseness, and become diaphanous.

This I admire, but still methinks I look

With a serener pleasure on the head

Crested by flaxen curls; or where soft locks,

Like to long coiling leaves that lose their edge,

Shine silken on the cheek, and parting smooth

Above a fair and modest countenance,

Harmonize with its pure, its tender bloom.

Still lovelier when with that infusion sweet

Of saint or angel spirit, resident

In the calm circle of a blue eye fring'd

With sable lashes! I remember once

A face like this, ere sickness took away

Its freshness, in whose looks there also dwelt,

If one may speak it of a thing so young,

And not subdue our warm belief to say

The prophecy of all these qualities,

Refinement, gentleness, and mild resolve;

Fitted to stem the evil of this world,

And hold with patient intrepidity,

The shield of calm resistance to its power.

It seem'd as if no anger e'er could dwell

Within his bosom; no blind prejudice

Distract his judgment; and no folly call

For a reproof: as if Affection were

Too soon allied to Thought, and tempered so

His morning, that the ministry of Time,

The chast'ning trial of Remorse and Grief,

And of stern Disappointment, all were spar'd.