Poems, in Two Volumes (Wordsworth, 1807)/Volume 1/Louisa
For other versions of this work, see Louisa (Wordsworth).
LOUISA.
I met Louisa in the shade;And, having seen that lovely Maid,Why should I fear to sayThat she is ruddy, fleet, and strong;And down the rocks can leap along,Like rivulets in May?
And she hath smiles to earth unknown;Smiles, that with motion of their ownDo spread, and sink, and rise;That come and go with endless play,And ever, as they pass away,Are hidden in her eyes.
She loves her fire, her Cottage-home;Yet o'er the moorland will she roamIn weather rough and bleak;And when against the wind she strains,Oh! might I kiss the mountain rainsThat sparkle on her cheek.
Take all that's mine "beneath the moon,"If I with her but half a noonMay sit beneath the wallsOf some old cave, or mossy nook,When up she winds along the brook,To hunt the waterfalls.