Page:Poems Blake.djvu/76

AT THE MOUNTAINS.

When first I saw the mountains fair
 Across the drowsy summer land
Weave shadows through the noontide air,
 Like some strong Fate with mystic hand,
I thought that here the soul might rest
 From longings vague of fancies grown,
And gather from that silent breast
 A deeper calm to fill its own.

But when a few short days had crept
 Across the distance dim and sweet,
The past with all its memories swept
 And left its message at my feet;
The dreams that lurk in future years,
 The hopes that rise, the fears that pall,
Life's thoughts and wiles, her smiles and tears,
 Came back, and magic tinted all.

For looking from my calm retreat
 All things grew bright as from above;
The noisy city's dusty street,
 That holds the little home I love;