Who dwelt among the untrodden ways,
Beside the springs of Dove![164]
and who was the heroine of that most exquisite picture of feminine loveliness in all its aspects, "She was a Phantom of delight."[165]—No phantom, it is said, but a fair reality:
A being, breathing thoughtful breath,
A traveller betwixt life and death,
yet fated not to die, while verse can live!
Then we shall know whose tear has been preserved by Rogers with a power beyond "the Chymist's magic art;" who was the lovely bride who is destined to blush and tremble in his Epithalamium, for a thousand years to come; and to what fair obdurate is addressed his "Farewell."
We may then learn who was that sweet Mary who adorned the cottage-home of Wilson; and who was the "Wild Louisa," of whom he has drawn such a captivating picture; first as the sprightly girl floating down the dance,
With footsteps light as falling snow,
and afterwards as the matron and the mother, hanging over the cradle of her infant, and blessing him in his sleep.
Then we may tell who was the "Bonnie Jean," sung by Allan Cunningham, whose destructive charms are so pleasantly, so naturally touched upon.
Sair she slights the lads—
Three are like to die;
Four in sorrow listed,—
And five flew to sea!