Whose very sadness was my weakness’ stay,

With every step more intimate and near—

“Take heart, poor child! ’tis I; have thou no fear.

V.

“Take heart, and I thy faltering steps will lead

Above the earth-mists and the brier-strewn road

To my far mountain-tops, the pure abode

Of heaven-born stream, and fair enamelled mead

Whose flow’rs immortal fells not any scythe.

Long have I sought thee 'mid the withering flowers