Where the lamps quiver
So far in the river,
With many a light
From window and casement,
From garret to basement,
She stood, with amazement,
Houseless by night.

The bleak wind of March
Made her tremble and shiver;
But not the dark arch,
Or the black flowing river: 
Mad from life’s history,
Glad to death’s mystery,
Swift to be hurl’d—­
Any where, any where
Out of the world!

In she plunged boldly,
No matter how coldly
The rough river ran,—­
Over the brink of it,
Picture it—­think of it,
Dissolute Man! 
Lave in it, drink of it,
Then, if you can!

Take her up tenderly,
Lift her with care;
Fashion’d so slenderly,
Young, and so fair!

Ere her limbs frigidly
Stiffen too rigidly,
Decently,—­kindly,—­
Smooth, and compose them;
And her eyes, close them,
Staring so blindly!

Dreadfully staring
Thro’ muddy impurity,
As when with the daring
Last look of despairing
Fix’d on futurity.

Perishing gloomily,
Spurr’d by contumely,
Cold inhumanity,
Burning insanity,
Into her rest.—­
Cross her hands humbly,
As if praying dumbly,
Over her breast!

Owning her weakness,
Her evil behaviour,
And leaving, with meekness,
Her sins to her Saviour!

37. I Remember, I Remember.

I remember, I remember,
The house where I was born,
The little window where the sun
Came peeping in at morn;
He never came a wink too soon,
Nor brought too long a day,
But now, I often wish the night
Had borne my breath away!

I remember, I remember,
The roses, red and white,
The violets, and the lily cups,
Those flowers made of light! 
The lilacs where the robin built,
And where my brother set
The laburnum on his birth-day,—­
The tree is living yet!

I remember, I remember
Where I was used to swing,
And thought the air must rush as fresh
To swallows on the wing;
My spirit flew in feathers then,
That is so heavy now,
And summer pools could hardly cool
The fever on my brow!

I remember, I remember
The fir trees dark and high;
I used to think their slender tops
Were close against the sky: 
It was a childish ignorance,
But now ’tis little joy
To know I’m farther off from Heav’n
Than when I was a boy.

1862-3 Edition.

* * * * *

BEN JONSON

38. To Celia.

Drink to me, only with thine eyes,
  And I will pledge with mine;
Or leave a kiss but in the cup,
  And I’ll not look for wine. 
The thirst, that from the soul doth rise,
  Doth ask a drink divine: 
But might I of Jove’s nectar sup,
  I would not change for thine.