WALDEN

In my garden three ways meet,
  Thrice the spot is blest;
Hermit-thrush comes there to build,
  Carrier-doves to nest.

There broad-armed oaks, the copses’ maze,
  The cold sea-wind detain;
Here sultry Summer overstays
  When Autumn chills the plain.

Self-sown my stately garden grows;
  The winds and wind-blown seed,
Cold April rain and colder snows
  My hedges plant and feed.

From mountains far and valleys near
  The harvests sown to-day
Thrive in all weathers without fear,—­
  Wild planters, plant away!

In cities high the careful crowds
  Of woe-worn mortals darkling go,
But in these sunny solitudes
  My quiet roses blow.

Methought the sky looked scornful down
  On all was base in man,
And airy tongues did taunt the town,
  ‘Achieve our peace who can!’

What need I holier dew
  Than Walden’s haunted wave,
Distilled from heaven’s alembic blue,
  Steeped in each forest cave?

[If Thought unlock her mysteries,
  If Friendship on me smile,
I walk in marble galleries,
  I talk with kings the while.]

How drearily in College hall
  The Doctor stretched the hours,
But in each pause we heard the call
  Of robins out of doors.

The air is wise, the wind thinks well,
  And all through which it blows,
If plants or brain, if egg or shell,
  Or bird or biped knows;

And oft at home ’mid tasks I heed,
  I heed how wears the day;
We must not halt while fiercely speed
  The spans of life away.

What boots it here of Thebes or Rome
  Or lands of Eastern day? 
In forests I am still at home
  And there I cannot stray.

THE ENCHANTER

In the deep heart of man a poet dwells
Who all the day of life his summer story tells;
Scatters on every eye dust of his spells,
Scent, form and color; to the flowers and shells
Wins the believing child with wondrous tales;
Touches a cheek with colors of romance,
And crowds a history into a glance;
Gives beauty to the lake and fountain,
Spies oversea the fires of the mountain;
When thrushes ope their throat, ’t is he that sings,
And he that paints the oriole’s fiery wings. 
The little Shakspeare in the maiden’s heart
Makes Romeo of a plough-boy on his cart;
Opens the eye to Virtue’s starlike meed
And gives persuasion to a gentle deed.

WRITTEN IN A VOLUME OF GOETHE

Six thankful weeks,—­and let it be
A meter of prosperity,—­
In my coat I bore this book,
And seldom therein could I look,
For I had too much to think,
Heaven and earth to eat and drink. 
Is he hapless who can spare
In his plenty things so rare?