softened

May have reduced their doubts, and in addition

Softened their final days.

I have been touching on reappears in the letters addressed to noble

ladies. Here, however, it is softened, less sardonic in tone, while

it blends with or gives place to another strain, that of absurd and

As clouds, and clouds may rain, and rain produce

Fruits in her softened soil, for some to eat

Allotted there ; and other suns perhaps

You are the fools, not I--for I did dwell

With a deep thought, and with a softened eye, 40

On that old Sexton's natural homily,

’Tis not to have our life

Mellowed and softened as with sunset-glow,--

A golden day’s decline.

There, as I passed with careless steps and slow,

The mingling notes came softened from below;

The swain responsive as the milkmaid sung,

Thus solemnized and softened, death is mild _25

And terrorless as this serenest night:

How the minute grey lichens, plate o'er plate,

Have softened down the crisp-cut name and date!