MAY AND DEATH. 1. I WISH that when you died last May, Charles, there had died along with you Three parts of spring's delightful things; Ay, and, for me, the fourth part too. 2. A foolish thought, and worse, perhaps ! L 3. So, for their sakes, be May still May! Sweet sights and sounds throng manifold. 4. Only, one little sight, one plant, Woods have in May, that starts up green Save a sole streak which, so to speak, Is spring's blood, spilt its leaves between, 5. That, they might spare; a certain wood Might miss the plant; their loss were small : But I, -whene'er the leaf grows there, Its drop comes from my heart, that's all. PROSPICE. FEAR death ?-to feel the fog in my throat, The mist in my face, When the snows begin, and the blasts denote I am nearing the place, The power of the night, the press of the storm, The post of the foe; Where he stands, the Arch Fear in a visible form, Yet the strong man must go : For the journey is done and the summit attained, Though a battle 's to fight ere the guerdon be gained, |