Middle-Age Enthusiasms

To M. H.     We passed where flag and flower     Signalled a jocund throng;     We said: "Go to, the hour     Is apt!" and joined the song;     And, kindling, laughed at life and care,     Although we knew no laugh lay there.     We walked where shy birds stood     Watching us, wonder-dumb;     Their friendship met our mood;     We cried: "We'll often come:     We'll come morn, noon, eve, everywhen!"     - We doubted we should come again.     We joyed to see strange sheens     Leap from quaint leaves in shade;     A secret light of greens     They'd for their pleasure made.     We said: "We'll set such sorts as these!"     - We knew with night the wish would cease.     "So sweet the place," we said,     "Its tacit tales so dear,     Our thoughts, when breath has sped,     Will meet and mingle here!" . . .     "Words!" mused we. "Passed the mortal door,     Our thoughts will reach this nook no more."