POETRY.
AN APRIL WOOD.
SWEET April sat in a regal wood, And I sat down by her side ; Glad with the promise of leaf and of bud,
Flushed with the glory of Sol's bright flood,—
There she sat in her queenly pride.
Out and away from the regal wood Cloud-isles hung in the motionless sky ; And the heavenly league, and the earthly rood, .Seem'd fresh from the Voice that pronounced them " Good,"— And happy were April and I.
In and about in the regal wood The birds were full of April glee ; On a leafing elm a bold thrush stood, Singing a song that was understood By a mate on a neighbouring tree.
But a cloud came over the regal wood, In the scream of a flighted hare ; A hound pursued it eager for blood ; A squirrel nigh me shook where it stood ; And I fancied the world less fair.
Then I rose to depart from the regal wood, And saw in the grass that there lay A glittering snake with a raven hood ; The sight of it cooled and curdled my blood : trembled,—and went on my way.
WILLIAM WILSON.
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