Heaven knows, more perfect love than was my lot
In thy dear heart; how dream’d I then, sweet Mother,
Of any love but thine, who knew no other?”
Dear little innocence! you have much to learn. Thy “shadow and herself” wander together by the “blue and boundless sea,” the shore is covered with flowers and “tangled underwood” and “sunny fern.” The ocean, “the floating nautilus,” the “pink-lipped” shells—
“And many color’d weeds
And long bulbous things like jasper beads,”
and ships with “swelling sails unfurled,” dance before her in this delightful vision until—
“The deep spirit of the wind awoke,
Ruffling in wrath each glassy verdant mound,
While onward roll’d the army of huge waves,