Memorials of a Happy Time: The Haunted Place Revisited

I came again fair Esthwaite lake to view —

The place thy spirit haunts; while sun and shower
In light and shade contented every hour,
And both were beautiful. The lake was still:
Rich autumn lights were grouped upon the hill
Mid purple heather and bright orange fern.
Oh what a scene was there! The scarlet hue
Of the wild cherry-tree did strangely turn
To mockery the alder's solemn gray:
And as I Wept outright, it seemed say —
"What! art thou he that was so proud and stern?
Look at that silly furze all new and gay,
Poor plant! 'tis budding forth and blossoming
As if one year could have a second spring."