Even as man sits, whose heart alone would be

With some deep care, and thus can find no more

Th’ accustom’d joy in all which evening brings,

Gathering a household with her quiet wings.

His wife stood hush’d before him—sad, yet mild

In her beseeching mien!—he mark’d it not.

The silvery laughter of his bright-hair’d child

Rang from the greensward round the shelter’d spot,

But seem’d unheard; until at last the boy

Raised from his heap’d up flowers a glance of joy,