INEDITED LYRIC BY FELICIA HEMANS.
A short time since I discovered the following in the handwriting of Mrs. Hemans, and it accompanied an invitation of a more prosaic description to a gentleman of her acquaintance, and a relative of mine, now deceased. I thought it worth preserving, in case any future edition of her works appeared; but the 13th, 14th, and 15th lines are defective, from the seal, or some other accident, having torn them off, and one is missing. And though perhaps it would not be difficult to restore them, yet I have not ventured to do so myself. The last two lines appear to convey a melancholy foreboding of the poet's sad and early fate. Can any one restore the defective parts?
Weld Taylor.
Bayswater.
Water Lilies.
Come away, Puck, while the dew is sweet;
Come to the dingle where fairies meet.
Know that the lilies have spread their bells
O'er all the pools in our mossy dells;
Stilly and lightly their vases rest
On the quivering sleep of the waters' breast,
Catching the sunshine thro' leaves that throw
To their scented bosoms an emerald glow;
And a star from the depth of each pearly cup,
A golden star! unto heaven looks up,
As if seeking its kindred, where bright they lie,
Set in the blue of the summer sky.
.... under arching leaves we'll float,
.... with reeds o'er the fairy moat,
.... forth wild music both sweet and low.
It shall seem from the rich flower's heart,
As if 'twere a breeze, with a flute's faint sigh.
Cone, Puck, for the midsummer sun grows strong,
And the life of the Lily may not belong.—Mab.