27.12.2010, 17:07
THE GOLD-CRESTED WREN.
His relation to the Sonnet.
When my hand dosed upon thee, worn and spent
With idly dashing on the window-pane,
Or clinging to the cornice—I, that meant
At once to free thee, could not but detain ;
I dropt my pen, I left the unfinish'd lay,
To give thee back to freedom ; but I took —
Oh, charm of sweet occasion !—one brief look
At thy bright eyes and innocent dismay ;
Then forth I sent thee on thy homeward quest,
My lesson learnt—thy beauty got by heart :
And if, at times, my sonnet-muse would rest
Short of her topmost skill, her little best,
The memory of thy delicate gold crest
Shall plead for one last touch,—the crown of Art.
His relation to the Sonnet.
When my hand dosed upon thee, worn and spent
With idly dashing on the window-pane,
Or clinging to the cornice—I, that meant
At once to free thee, could not but detain ;
I dropt my pen, I left the unfinish'd lay,
To give thee back to freedom ; but I took —
Oh, charm of sweet occasion !—one brief look
At thy bright eyes and innocent dismay ;
Then forth I sent thee on thy homeward quest,
My lesson learnt—thy beauty got by heart :
And if, at times, my sonnet-muse would rest
Short of her topmost skill, her little best,
The memory of thy delicate gold crest
Shall plead for one last touch,—the crown of Art.