XIV.

And birds that live there in a crowd, Horned owls, rapt nightingales, Larks bold with heaven, and peacocks proud, Self-sphered in those grand tails; All creatures glad and safe, I deem No guns nor springes in my dream!

The island's edges are a-wing With trees that overbranch The sea with song-birds welcoming The curlews to green change; And doves from half-closed lids espy The red and purple fish go by.

One dove is answering in trust The water every minute, Thinking so soft a murmur must Have her mate's cooing in it: So softly doth earth's beauty round Infuse itself in ocean's sound.

My sanguine soul bounds forwarder To meet the bounding waves; Beside them straightway I repair, To live within the caves: And near me two or three may dwell Whom dreams fantastic please as well.

Long winding caverns, glittering far Into a crystal distance! Through clefts of which shall many a star Shine clear without resistance, And carry down its rays the smell Of flowers above invisible.