In the Lane

BY cottage walls the lilacs blow:
Rich spikes of perfume stand and sway
At open casements, where all day
The warm wind waves them to and fro.

Out of the shadow of the door,
Into the golden morning air,
Comes one who makes the day more fair
And summer sweeter than before.

The apple-blossoms might have shed
Upon her cheek the bloom so rare ;
The sun has kissed her bright brown hair,
Braided about her graceful head.

Lightly betwixt the lilacs tall
She passes, — through the garden-gate,
Across the road, — and stays to wait
A moment by the orchard wall;

And then in gracious light and shade,
Beneath the blossom-laden trees,
’Mid song of birds and hum of bees
She strays, unconscious, unafraid,

Till swiftly o’er the grassy space
Comes one whose step she fain would stay;
Glad as the newly risen day
He stoops to read her drooping face.

Her face is like the morning skies,
Bright, timid, tender, blushing sweet;
She dares not trust her own to meet
The steady splendor of his eyes.

He holds her with resistless charm,
With truth, with power, with beauty crowned,
About her slender waist is wound
The strong, safe girdle of his arm;

And up and down, in shade and light,
They wander through the flying hours,
And all the way is strewn with flowers,
And life looks like one long delight.

Ah happy twain ! no frost shall harm,
No change shall reach your bliss so long
As keeps its place the faithful, strong,
Safe girdle of that folding arm.

Could you this simple secret know,
No death in life would be to fear,
Ere in another fleeting year
By cottage walls the lilacs blow!