THREE years she grew in sun and shower，

    Then Nature said， "A lovelier flower

    On earth was never sown；

    This Child I to myself will take；

    She shall be mine， and I will make

    A Lady of my own.

    "Myself will to my darling be

    Both law and impulse： and with me

    The Girl， in rock and plain

    In earth and heaven， in glade¹ and bower²，

    Shall feel an overseeing power

    To kindle³ or restrain.

    "She shall be sportive as the fawn⁴

    That wild with glee across the lawn

    Or up the mountain springs；

    And her's shall be the breathing balm，

    And her's the silence and the calm

    Of mute insensate things.

    "The floating clouds their state shall lend

    To her； for her the willow⁵ bend；

    Nor shall she fail to see

    Even in the motions of the Storm

    Grace that shall mold the Maiden's form

    By silent sympathy.

    "The stars of midnight shall be dear

    To her； and she shall lean her ear

    In many a secret place

    Where rivulets⁶ dance their wayward round，

    And beauty born of murmuring sound

    Shall pass into her face.

    "And vital feelings of delight

    Shall rear her form to stately height，

    Her virgin⁷ bosom⁸ swell⁹；

    Such thoughts to Lucy I will give

    While she and I together live

    Here in this happy dell."

    Thus Nature spake——The work was done——

    How soon my Lucy's race was run！

    She died， and left to me

    This heath， this calm， and quiet scene；

    The memory of what has been，

    And never more will be.

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