Page 45 - Lavender-B-7

Like the sea breaking on a shingle-beach?

It is the tree’s lament, an eerie speech,

That haply to the unknown land may reach.

Unknown, yet well-known to the eye of faith!
Ah, I have heard that wail far, far away

In distant lands, by many a sheltered bay,

When slumbered in his cave the water-wraith

And the waves gently kissed the classic shore

Of France or Italy, beneath the moon,

When earth lay tranced in a dreamless swoon:

And every time the music rose,—before

Mine inner vision rose a form sublime,

Thy form, O Tree, as in my happy prime

I saw thee, in my own loved native clime.

Therefore I fain would consecrate a lay

Unto thy honor, Tree, beloved of those

Who now in blessed sleep for aye repose,—

Dearer than life to me, alas, were they!

Mayst thou be numbered when my days are done shingle: pebble
lament: sorrowful cry
With deathless trees—like those in Borrowdale, eerie: strange and frightening
haply: (archaic) perhaps
Under whose awful branches lingered pale water-wraith: a water-spirit
tranced: dazed
‘Fear, trembling Hope, and Death, the skeleton, swoon: (here) deep sleep
sublime: noble, magnificent
And Time the shadow;’ and though weak the verse prime: youth
clime: a region or its climate
That would thy beauty fain, oh, fain rehearse, fain: gladly

May Love defend thee from Oblivion’s curse. consecrate: dedicate
lay: song
—Toru Dutt repose: rest
oblivion: forgetfulness

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