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hat way look, my Infant, [1] lo!What a pretty baby-show!See the Kitten on the wall,Sporting with the leaves that fall,Withered leaves--one--two--and three--5From the lofty elder-tree!Through the calm and frosty [2] airOf this morning bright and fair,Eddying round and round they sinkSoftly, slowly: one might think, 10From the motions that are made,Every little leaf conveyedSylph or Faery hither tending,--To this lower world descending,Each invisible and mute, 15In his wavering parachute.----But the Kitten, how she starts,Crouches, stretches, paws, and darts! [3]First at one, and then its fellowJust as light and just as yellow; 20There are many now--now one--Now they stop and there are none:What intenseness of desireIn her upward eye of fire!With a tiger-leap half-way 25Now she meets the coming prey,Lets it go as fast, and thenHas it in her power again:Now she works with three or four,Like an Indian conjurer; 30Quick as he in feats of art,Far beyond in joy of heart.Were her antics played in the eyeOf a thousand standers-by,Clapping hands with shout and stare, 35What would little Tabby careFor the plaudits of the crowd?Over happy to be proud,Over wealthy in the treasureOf her own exceeding pleasure! 40 'Tis a pretty baby-treat;Nor, I deem, for me unmeet; [4]Here, for neither Babe nor [5] me,Other play-mate can I see.Of the countless living things, 45That with stir of feet and wings(In the sun or under shade,Upon bough or grassy blade)And with busy revellings,Chirp and song, and murmurings, 50Made this orchard's narrow space,And this vale so blithe a place;Multitudes are swept awayNever more to breathe the day:Some are sleeping; some in bands 55Travelled into distant lands;Others slunk to moor and wood,Far from human neighbourhood;And, among the Kinds that keepWith us closer fellowship, 60With us openly abide,All have laid their mirth aside. Where is he that giddy [6] Sprite,Blue-cap, with his colours bright,Who was blest as bird could be, 65Feeding in the apple-tree;Made such wanton spoil and rout,Turning blossoms inside out;Hung--head pointing towards the ground--[7]Fluttered, perched, into a round 70Bound himself, and then unbound;Lithest, gaudiest Harlequin!Prettiest tumbler ever seen!Light of heart and light of limb;What is now become of Him? 75Lambs, that through the mountains wentFrisking, bleating merriment,When the year was in its prime,They are sobered by this time.If you look to vale or [8] hill, 80If you listen, all is still,Save a little neighbouring rill,That from out the rocky groundStrikes a solitary sound.Vainly glitter [9] hill and plain, 85And the air is calm in vain;Vainly Morning spreads the lureOf a sky serene and pure;Creature none can she decoyInto open sign of joy: 90Is it that they have a fearOf the dreary season near?Or that other pleasures beSweeter even than gaiety? Yet, whate'er enjoyments dwell 95In the impenetrable cellOf the silent heart which NatureFurnishes to every creature;Whatsoe'er we feel and knowToo sedate for outward show, 100Such a light of gladness breaks,Pretty Kitten! from thy freaks,--Spreads with such a living graceO'er my little Dora's [10] face;Yes, the sight so stirs and charms 105Thee, Baby, laughing in my arms,That almost I could repineThat your transports are not mine,That I do not wholly fareEven as ye do, thoughtless pair! [11] 110And I will have my careless seasonSpite of melancholy reason, [12]Will walk through life in such a wayThat, when time brings on decay,Now and then I may possess 115Hours of perfect gladsomeness. [13]--Pleased by any random toy;By a kitten's busy joy,Or an infant's laughing eyeSharing in the ecstasy; 120I would fare like that or this,Find my wisdom in my bliss;Keep the sprightly soul awake,And have faculties to take,Even from things [14] by sorrow wrought, 125Matter for a jocund thought,Spite of care, and spite of grief,To gambol with Life's falling Leaf. * * * * *
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