2.

The frolic and fun

Of the day are done ;

Not a sound

Breaks the wood's repose,

Save the leaves that close,

Dusky and brown'd,

With a whisper around,

And hiving me neatly

In this calm place,

Where 'tis dark completely, Leave one small space

Above-where the face

Of my star shines sweetly.

3.

Full length I lie,

On this mossy tree-knot,

With face to the sky,

The vast blue I see not;

And I start in surprise

From my dim half-dream,

With the moist white gleam

Of the star in mine eyes:

So strange does it seem

That the star should beam

From her milky throne

On this forest nook

Of all others, and look

Upon me alone:

Ay, that yonder divine

Soft face

Should shine

On this one place;

And, when things so fair

Fill the earth and air,

Should choose to be,

Night after night,

The especial light

Of a monster like me!

4.

Why, all day long,

I run about

F

Mid a madcap throng,

And laugh and shout;

I laugh and sing,

I tumble and roll,

Like a thing

Without a soul.—

Silenus grips

My ears, and strides

On my shaggy hips,

And up and down

In an ivy crown

Drunkenly rides;

And when in a doze

His eyelids close,

Off he tumbles, and I

Can his wine-skin steal,

I drink and feel

The grass roll-sea-high!

Then my courage swells

Into juicy fruit,

And with shouts and yells,

Down mossy dells

Which reel underfoot,

I stagger after

The wood-nymphs fleet,

Who with mocking laughter

And smiles retreat

Upon glimmering feet;

And just as I clasp

A yielding waist,

With a cry embraced,

-Gush! it melts from my grasp

Into water cool,

And-bubble! trouble!

Seeing double!

I stumble and gasp

In some icy pool!

All suborn me,

5.

Flout me, scorn me!

Drunken joys

And cares are mine,

Romp and noise,

And the dregs of wine;

And whene'er in the night
Diana glides by

The spot where I lie,
With her maids green-dight,

I must turn my back

In a rude affright,

And blindly fly

From her shining track ;

Or if only I hear

Her bright footstep draw near,

Fall with face to the grass,

Not breathing for fear

Till I feel her pass.