Lumine

Ah, who but hath seen, and, seeing her, bless’d
The bonny Lumine in her golden vest?
     A Fairy with gossamer wings.
And robes of a thousand dyes.
Who comes– when the herald of morning sings–
In the mist of her golden hair, and brings
     The day in her laughing eyes!
“Hail, radiant Queen;
Lumine! Lumine!”
     The Lark trills down the skies.

A Saga is told of a mighty Word
That, offered of old, grim Darkness heard,
     And in glory the past never knew,
    From her shuddering bosom sprang;
Then merry Lumine with her radiant crew,
On the efficient billows of splendor flew,
     And a welcoming voice out-rang;
    “Hail beautiful Queen!
    Divine Luimine!”
While the stars of the morning sang!

She kisses the lips of the frail Windflower.
Till boldly it slips from its icy tower;
     With the touch of her magical staff
    She burns through the withered leaves,
And budding Arbutus looks up through her half
Unfolded palms, with a silent laugh.
     To the Fairy who never grieves.
    Life-bringer serene,
    O bonny Lumine!
     Her breath to thy garment cleaves.

She dives with a glance through the rustling tree,
And the leaflets dance is a luminous glee,
     The flickering sunshine lies
    All over the mottled ground,
Like a thousand golden butterflies,
The while to a mossy couch she bies.
     With her fairies fluttering round:
    Sweet soul of the scene, 
    Earth-clattering Lumine.
     Art thou with thy locks unbound.

She touches a lash of the baby’s eyes.
And open they flash with a sweet surprise.
     And his little hands fly out
    To snatch at her golden vest.
The dimpled fist is busy and stout.
But mouth, she is nimble and flits about,
     Escaping his eager quest.
    O happy the scene,
    Joy-giving Lumine, 
     Thou ever-welcome guest.

Through the[??] bars of a dungeon grate,
Where, harsh with the scars of its own fierce hate,
     A heart in its turbulent breast
    Lies darkly brooding its woe
She glides with a smile, so pure and bless.
To the wretch forlorn, that a holy rest.
     Steals over him in its glow!
    Is that smile serene,
    O, luminous Queen
     God’s love can come so low.