Transcendent morn ’rose o’er yon barley-field

Transcendent morn ’rose o’er yon barley-field; But dusky clouds fly’ng ’cross the golden shield Dispersed his beams; yet, he controll’d the main, And usher’d in a brighter day for Jane. She ’wakes (her wonted hour), looks ’round and finds Rich damask drapery for her window-blinds! Chairs, almost fairy-like with ’lastic touch, Resemble the impurpled-cover’d couch. Then half-recumbent lo: the gentle girl Beholds the furniture inlaid with pearl! Herself she now reflectedly espies, But scarce believing her yet slumb’rous eyes— ’Til, opportune, the wardrobe glass disclosed The doubtful myst’ry; then she grew composed, Alighted venturously on the soft floor, And scann’d the toilet o’er and o’er and o’er: She timorously removes the window-blind; Observes, with pleasure, the fantastic hind, The antler’d buck, the mother and her fawn; And all the beauties of the verdured lawn. The ivy tendrils kiss’d her window-pane, And further rearward wound the jessamine With other fragrant vines. Now, Jane, she makes Another survey t’wards the glist’ning lakes: There she beholds, most gracefully afloat— The silvery swans; and there the anchor’d boat Hugg’d the green bank. All nature smiles, as ’twere; And passing showers cool’d the atmosphere; While birds among made music sweet and clear. On bended knee, Jane’s orisons had flown With the appearance of the saffron dawn: So now (rememb’ring Arnold’s fond desire To breakfast with her), in her best attire, She decks herself—expectant of a knock: Mid joy and grief she hears the tuneful clock, Which crown’d the summit of the mansion mews,— The time arrived: now Jane once more re-views Her humble self, and modestly prepares * * * When lo!—she hears a patting on the stairs, And hies obediently across the floor— To welcome Toogood at the appointed hour: With all the sweetness of her youth, she said— “Oh dear! dear ma’am (and sigh’d) I really dread To leave the room;” but when Aunt Toogood smil’d And bade Jane cheer, thus say’ng: “Come, come, my child (In such a winsome mood) and follow me, For Arnold now is anxious, ’waiting thee,” She doff’d her trepidness, and went the way. And so began the duties of the day.

Drawing aside.

The branches.

The chimes.

Family prayers.