CLARIBEL

         

                 A MELODY

         
        Where Claribel low-lieth
            The breezes pause and die,
               Letting the rose-leaves fall;
        But the solemn oak-tree sigheth,
               Thick-leaved, ambrosial,
            With an ancient melody
            Of an inward agony,
        Where Claribel low-lieth.

        At eve the beetle boometh
            Athwart the thicket lone;
        At noon the wild bee hummeth
            About the moss'd headstone;
        At midnight the moon cometh,
            And looketh down alone.
        Her song the lintwhite swelleth,
        The clear-voiced mavis dwelleth,
            The callow throstle lispeth,
        The slumbrous wave outwelleth,
            The babbling runnel crispeth,
        The hollow grot replieth
            Where Claribel low-lieth.