'Tis done! the flame of hate no longer burns : Nature relents, but, ah! too late returns! Why does my soul this gush of fondness feel? Trembling and faint, I drop the guilty steel! Cold on my heart the hand of terror lies, And shades of horror close my languid eyes! Oh! 'twas a deed of Murder's deepest grain? Could B-k's soul so true to wrath remain ? A friend long true, a once fond lover fell!Where Love was fostered could not Pity dwell? Unhappy youth! while yon pale crescent glows To watch on silent Nature's deep repose, Thy sleepless spirit, breathing from the tomb, Foretels my fate, and summons me to come! Once more I see thy sheeted spectre stand, Roll the dim eye, and wave the paly hand! Soon may this fluttering spark of vital flame Forsake its languid melancholy frame! Soon may these eyes their trembling lustre close, Welcome the dreamless night of long repose! Soon may this woe-worn spirit seek the bourne Where, lulled to slumber, Grief forgets to mourn!" HALLOWED GROUND. WHAT'S hallowed ground? Has earth a clod Unscourged by Superstition's rod That's hallowed ground-where, mourned and missed, Yon churchyard's bowers? No! in ourselves their souls exist, A kiss can consecrate the ground The spot where love's first links were wound, Is hallowed down to earth's profound, For time makes all but true love old; Until the heart itself be cold In Lethe's pool. What hallows ground where heroes sleep? Or Genii twine beneath the deep But strew his ashes to the wind Whose sword or voice has served mankind- To live in hearts we leave behind, Is't death to fall for Freedom's right? What can alone ennoble fight? A noble cause! Give that! and welcome War to brace Her drums! and rend Heaven's reeking space! The colours planted face to face, The charging cheer, Though Death's pale horse lead on the chase, Shall still be dear. And place our trophies where men kneel O God above! Transfer it from the sword's appeal Peace, Love! the cherubim, that join Their spread wings o'er Devotion's shrine, Prayers sound in vain, and temples shine, Where they are not The heart alone can make divine Religion's spot. To incantations dost thou trust, That men can bless one pile of dust The ticking wood-worm mocks thee, man! Thy temples-creeds themselves grow wan! But there's a dome of nobler span, A temple given Thy faith, that bigots dare not ban— Its roof star-pictured Nature's ceiling, The harmonious spheres Make music, though unheard their pealing By mortal ears. Fair stars! are not your beings pure? Ye must be Heavens that make us sure Of heavenly love! And in your harmony sublime And reason on his mortal clime Immortal dawn. What's hallowed ground? 'Tis what gives birth And your high priesthood shall make earth SONG. WITHDRAW not yet those lips and fingers, And death seems in the word-Farewell. Time, whilst I gaze upon thy sweetness, |