Her gentle spirit, lightly hovering o'er, Carved is her name in many a spicy grove, But lo, at last he comes with crowded sail! -'Tis she, 'tis she herself! she waves her hand! TO AN OLD OAK. TRUNK of a Giant now no more! Once did thy limbs to heaven aspire ; Once, by a track untried before, Strike as resolving to explore Realms of infernal fire.* Round thee, alas, no shadows move! Yet within thee, thyself a grove, Once did the eagle scream above, And the wolf howl beneath. There once the steel-clad knight reclined, And, as the death-bell smote the wind, His brow the hero crossed! *Radice in Tartara tendit.-VIRG. Then Culture came, and days serene; Father of many a forest deep, Soon destined o'er the world to sweep, Wont in the night of woods to dwell, And, planting there the guardian spell, Thy singed top and branches bare Now straggle in the evening-sky ; And the wan moon wheels round to glare On the long corse that shivers there Of him who came to die! TO TWO SISTERS.* WELL may you sit within, and, fond of grief, Changed is that lovely countenance, which shed Light when she spoke; and kindled sweet surprise, As o'er her frame each warm emotion spread, Played round her lips, and sparkled in her eyes. Those lips so pure, that moved but to persuade, Yet has she fled the life of bliss below, That youthful Hope in bright perspective drew? False were the tints! false as the feverish glow That o'er her burning cheek Distemper threw ! *On the death of a younger sister. 26 And now in joy she dwells, in glory moves! ON A TEAR. OH! that the Chemist's magic art The little brilliant, ere it fell, Sweet drop of pure and pearly light! Benign restorer of the soul! Who ever fly'st to bring relief, When first we feel the rude control Of Love or Pity, Joy or Grief. |