A TRUANT FROM EDEN.
In a mazy, sunlit garden,
Where was neither watch nor warden,
But the butterflies and bees
Rifling the laburnum-trees;
Where lilies pale and purple phlox
Bent above the bordering box,
And clustering pinks and crimson roses
Made fragrant even the orchard closes—
There one blissful hour I strayed
With the boy they said was laid
Forever 'neath the yew-tree's shade—
Harold, with his summers seven!
The tower-clock was chiming eleven
As I saw him down the stair,
With his blue eyes, and chestnut hair
Backward from his forehead blown
By the wind, that made such moan
When we lost him, ('t was a day
In dreary March he went away)
But that now, in glad surprise,
Breathed a strain of Paradise.
Where was neither watch nor warden,
But the butterflies and bees
Rifling the laburnum-trees;
Where lilies pale and purple phlox
Bent above the bordering box,
And clustering pinks and crimson roses
Made fragrant even the orchard closes—
There one blissful hour I strayed
With the boy they said was laid
Forever 'neath the yew-tree's shade—
Harold, with his summers seven!
The tower-clock was chiming eleven
As I saw him down the stair,
With his blue eyes, and chestnut hair
Backward from his forehead blown
By the wind, that made such moan
When we lost him, ('t was a day
In dreary March he went away)
But that now, in glad surprise,
Breathed a strain of Paradise.
How I caught him to my heart!
"Darling! naught again shall part
You and me, you and me!"
Thrice he kissed me; then in glee,
"Darling! naught again shall part
You and me, you and me!"
Thrice he kissed me; then in glee,
