第3章

THELOCKOFHAIR。

Itisinsoothalovelytress,Stillcurledinmanyaring,AsglossyastheplumesthatdressTheraven’sjettywing。

Andthebroadandsoul—illuminedbrow,Abovewhosearchitgrew,Waslikethestainlessmountainsnow,Initspurityofhue。

Imindthetime’twasgiventome,Thenight,thehour,thespot;

Andtheeyethatpleadedsilently,\"Forgetthegivernot。\"

Oh!myriadsofstars,onhigh,Weresmilingsweetlyfair,ButnonewaslovelyastheeyeThatshonebesidemethere!

AboveourheadsanancientoakItsstrong,widearmsheldout,Andfromitsrootsafountainbroke,Withatinylaughingshout;

AndthefairypeopleofthewildWerebendingtotheirrest,AstrustinglyassleepsthechildUponitsmother’sbreast。

Soft,silverycloudlets,pureandwhite,Alongtheskywerehung,AsifthespiritsofthenightTheirmantlestherehadflung;

Andthenthenight—breezepensivelySighedfromitsunseenthrone,Andfaro’erfield,andflower,andtree,Ahallowedlightcamedown。

ButinourbreastswasspringingupAsomethinglovelierfar,Thanfield,ortree,orflow’ret’scup,Orsun,ormoon,orstar!

Weheedednotthefountainnear,Itssongofgladnesssinging,Forinourheartsafountmoredear,Andpure,andsweet,wasspringing。

Andshewasonewhomfortune’ssmileHadgladdenedfromherbirth,Yetherhighspiritknewnoguile,Noblotnorstainofearth;

AndIwasbutafriendlessboy,Andyetherheartwasmine;

Iknewit,andthethoughtwasjoy,Ajoyall,alldivine!

FromoutabraidedmassshetookThissinglelockofjet,AndgaveitwiththatpleadinglookWhich,said,\"Donotforget。\"

Forget!assoonthewavesthatrollTheocean’scavesabove,Maytelltheirsecrets,asthesoulForgetitsearliestlove。

Ithasbeenwithmenowforyears,Longyearsofcareandstrife,AndshallbewithmetilltimewearsAwaymyweboflife。

Andwhendeath’skeen,resistlessdart,Shallbiditssorrowscease,Thistressshallrestuponmyheart,Itstalismanofpeace。

\"’TwaslittleshethoughtthatIstoodbreathlessbyhersidelisteningtothesongshesangasshesatbythesea’sedge,ponderingsodeeply,uponmetooperhaps,thatthewhitefoamglimmeredonherbrowunheeded。\"

Onagh,ThePaleChildoftheBrehonKing。

Shestoodbesidethewidewildsea,Thewindshowledhoarseandhigh,Anddarkclouds,driftingdrearily,Swepto’erthestarlesssky。

Herbreastwaswhiteasmountainsnow,Herlockshunglooseandfree,Thefoamthatglimmeredonherbrow,Wasscarcesopaleasshe。

Shesangamournfulsongoflove,Oftrustinglovebetrayed;

Ah,whydidhewhowonher,proveSofaithlesstothemaid?

\"Whypinesmyheartsowearily,Whyheavesmyachingbreast,Andwhyissleepsofarfromme,Whenothersareatrest?

\"Thou,truantwanderero’erthedeep,Thecauseofallmycares;

FortheeatnightIwakeandweep,Whennonemaymarkmytears。

\"Iseekthefestivehallnomore,ItsmirthnomoreIcrave;

Myheartislonelyastheshore,Andrestlessasthewave。

\"MysoulhasstruggledtoforgetItssleepless,fatalflame;

Iknowthyvowswerefalse,andyetMyloveisstillthesame。

\"Stillo’erthedreamInursedtoowell,Myburstingheartwillyearn;

Foreverwithmemustitdwell,——

Oh,wanderer,return!\"

Awhitesailflutteredinthewind,Alightbarkskimmedthesea,——

Itcamelikehopeacrossthemind,Asswiftandsilently。

Theshell—strewnbeachthatedgedthemain,Amanlyfootsteppressed;

Thewandererhadreturnedagain,——

Themaiden’sheartwasblessed!

THEDESERTED。

\"Come,sittheebymysideoncemore,’Tislongsincethuswe’met;

Andthoughourdreamofloveiso’er,Itssweetnesslingersyet。

Itstransientdayhaslongbeenpast,Itsflamehasceasedtoburn,——

ButMemoryholdsitsspiritfast,Safeinhersacredurn。

\"Iwillnotchidethywanderings,NoraskwhythoucouldstfleeAheartwhosedeepaffection’sspringsPouredforthsuchloveforthee!

Wemaynotcurbtherestlessmind,NorteachthewaywardheartToloveagainstitswill,norbindItwiththechainsofart。

\"Iwouldbuttelltheehow,intearsAndbitterness,mysoulHasyearnedwithdreams,throughlong,long,years,Whichitcouldnotcontrol。

Andhowthethoughtthatclingethto,Andtwinethroundthepast,Foreverinmyheartshallglow,Andbesaveonemylast。

\"Theysaythouhastanother’slove,——

Well,cherishit,butthouItslackofstrengthanddepthwiltprove,Shouldsorrowcloudthybrow。

Thoughshemayownastatelierform,Afairercheekthanmine,Herheartcannotsowellandwarm,Respondeachthrobofthine。\"

Herwordsweregentle,buttheirtoneWassadassorrow’ssigh,——

Atear—droptrembledinhisownAshesoughtherdowncasteye。

AchordwasstruckwithinhisbreastThatlonguntouchedhadlain,Oldmemoriesstartedfromtheirrest,——

Themaidwaslovedagain。

Stanzas。

On!therearehoursofsadness,whenthesoul,Tornfromitseverystay,andcrushedbeneathItsmanygriefs,andspurningfaith’scontrol,PantswithanearnestlongingforthedeathWhichwouldforevercloseitsdarkcareer,Withthepaleshroudandtheremorselessbier;

Whentheharsh,sterilenothingnessoflife,Firstbreaksuponthehope—deludedbreast,AndtheheartsickenswiththebootlessstrifeThatwringsitschords,andlongstobeatrest;

Ev’niftheblowthatfreesitfromdistress,Shouldstrikeitintoutternothingness。

Ah,nothingness!Thethoughtattimeswillcome,ThemindwillwrestlewiththemysteryThatcloudsitsbeing!fromitsclay—madehome,Itsdwellingofam6ment,itwillfleeIntothefardepthsofthevastUNKNOWN,Initsvainsearchingsforth’eternalthroneOfthatOmnipotencewhichgaveitbirth,And,givingitanaturewhichmightsuitAseraph,bounditsdestinytoearth!

Andafewyears,inwhichtoeatthefruitOflife’sstrangetree,sobitteratitscore,Thendeath,thequietgrave,sleep,and——whatmore?

Whencecamewe?whithergowe?AllisstillAndvoicelessinthepast!AveilisdrawnAcrossthefuture!bylife’smysticrillWesitandponder,watchingforthedawnOfsomeyetunconceived,far—reachingthought,Bywhichournature’ssecretshallbetaught!

Whysorrowisourelement——whysinIsnativeinus——bywhatcursewebearAneveraching,crushingvoidwithinOursecretsouls!andwhythelittleshareOfhappinessthatmingleswithourfate,Isofsuchfleeting,transitorydate1

Ourloves!ourhopes!whatarethey?fruitswhichturnToashesonourlips!illusivelightsThatcastamoment’sbrightnesswhiletheyburn,Thendie,andleaveadarknesswhichaffrightsOurspiritswithitsthriceredoubledgloom,Makingtheskyapall——theearthatomb!

Andyetthesearethealloflifeforwhich’Tisworththewearingofitschaintoknow,Wealth,fame,andpowerarebuttoys!therich,Thehighandmighty,withthebaseandlow,AlikebeforethereaperDeathmustfall,——

Sobeit!inthegraveisrestforall。

Stanzas。

Whentheleafisonthetree,Andthebirdisinthebower,Andthebutterflyandbee,Bearitstreasuresfromtheflower;

Whenthefieldsputonthesheen,Thattoyoung—eyedSpringbelongs;

Whenthegrovesandforestsgreen,Echowithathousandsongs;

WhenwildBeautywandersforth,Giving,withnostintedcare,Allherlovelinesstoearth,Allhersweetnesstotheair:

Thentheheart,withgladnessstirred,Mindfulofitsgriefsnomore,Mountsandcarols,likeabirdWhenthepearlyshoweriso’er!

Butthesummer’ssunnyhours,Aswecountthem,passaway;

Anditsfairestfruitsandflowers,Arebutfoodforsterndecay。

Thenwithwailings,deepandloud,Likethesea’sinitsunrest,Winterspreadshisicyshroud,O’erthebareearth’sfrozenbreast。

Thusthespirit’searlygladness,Sorrowchillsortimeremoves;

Andthesoul,intearsandsadness,Mournsitsperishedjoysandloves。

Hopewillloseitstrustingboldness,Onebyoneitsbeamsdepart,AndDespair,withicy,coldness,Windsitsmantleroundtheheart。

AFTERWITNESSINGADEATH—SCENE。

Presscloseyourlips,Andbowyourheadstoearth,forDeathishere!

Markyenothowacrossthateyesoclear,Stealshiseclipse?

Amomentmore,Andthequickthrobbingsofherheartshallcease,Herpain—wrungspiritwillobtainrelease,Andallbeo’er!

Hush!SealyeupYourgushingtears,forMercy’shandhathshakenHerearth—bondsoff,andfromherliphathtakenGrief’sbittercup。

YeknowthedeadAretheywhorestsecurefromcareandstrife,——

Thattheywhowalkthethornywayoflife,Havetearstoshed。

Yeknowherpray’r,Wasforthequietofthetomb’sdeeprest,——

Love’ssepulchrelaycoldwithinherbreast,Couldpeacedwellthere?

Atalesoontold,Isofherlifethestory;shehadloved,Andhewhowonherhearttolove,hadprovedHeartlessandcold。

Layhertorest,Whereshinesandfallsthesummer’ssunanddew;

FortheseshouldshineandfallwhereliessotrueAndfondabreast!

AfullreleaseFromeverypangisgiventothedead,——

Soonthestoneyeplaceaboveherhead,Writeonly\"Peace。\"*

WhenSpringcomesback,Withmusiconherlips,——joyinhereye,——

Hersunnybannerstreamingthroughthesky,——

Flow’rsinhertrack——

Thencomeyehere,Andmusingfromthebusyworldapart,Dropontheturfthatwrapshermoulderingheart,SweetPity’stear。

*ThemosttouchinglybeautifulepitaphIhaveeverread,waswritteninthatoneword,\"Peace。\"Itseemedlikethelastsighofadepartingspirit,overtheclaywhichitwasabouttoabandonforever。

LOVEANDFANCY。

\"Whenever,amidbow’rsofmyrtle,Love,summer—tressedandvernal—eyed,Atmornoreveisseentowander,Adark—hairedgirlisathisside。\"

DeLaHogue。

Onemorn,justasdayinthefareastwasbreaking,YoungLove,whoallnighthadbeenrovingabout,Acharmingsiestawasquietlytaking,Hisstrength,byhisrambles,completelywornout。

Roundhisbrowawreath,wovenofeveryflowerThatspringsfromthehillside,orvalley,wasbound;

Inhishandwasarosehehadstol’nfromsomebower,Whilehisbowandhisquiverlaynearontheground。

WildFancyjustcamefromherkingdomofdreams,Thebreathoftheopeningdaytoenjoy,AndtocatchthewarmkissofitsfirstgoldenbeamsOnhercheek,caughtaglimpseoftheslumberingboy!

Withalight,noiselessstepshedrewneartothesleeper,Andgazedtillhersnowy—breastheavedasoftsigh;

Thenshebadesleep’sdullgodbringasounderanddeeperAndheaviertranceforLove’sbeautifuleye。

Thenbacktohershadowykingdomsheflow,Andcalledupthebrightmysticformsshehasthere;

Andfillinganurnfromafountainofdew,ShebadethemallstraighttoLove’scouch—siderepair。

Theycame,andstoodround,asherhand,o’erhispillow,Fromachaliceofpearl,poureditsmagicalstream:

Whilehisredrosylips,thatnowsighedlikeabillowAtplaywiththebreeze,toldhowsweetwashisdream。

Hedreamedthathesatonashiningthrone,wroughtOfthepurestofgoldthattheearthcouldsupply,Whileatrioofbeautifulmaids,whoeachbroughtAgiftforhisshrine,insuccessionpastby。

FirstFame,withthestepandtheglanceofaqueen,Cameup,andbeforehimbentdownherproudknee,Andheldupagarland,whereonplayedthesheenOfthebeamswhichinsureimmortality!

NextWealth,thesternmistressofmen,forwhosesmileTheytoillikethegalleyslave,——broughtinherhandThefairgemsofmanyanoceanisle,Andthediamondsofmanyafaroffland。

AndBeautycametoo,withherblue,laughingeye,Herfairflowinglocks,andhersoftrosycheek,Andredlips,whosesweetsmiletoldsilentlyThetalewhichtheyseemedashamedtospeak。

’Neaththeshadeofapalmbranchafourthonestoodby,WithlockslikeinhuetothetressesofNight,Withapale,pensivebrow,andadarkdreamyeye,Wherethesoulofsweetsoftnesslaygleaminginlight!

ItwasFancy:Lovegazed,andhiseagereyeshoneWithalustreoffeeling,deep,fervent,andsweet;

AndhethoughtitwerebettertogiveuphisthroneForaplace,onhisknees,atthecoymaiden’sfeet。

Andfromthatbrighthour,throughcalmandthroughstorm,Throughthesunlightofsummer,andwinter’sdarkreign,Thesetwainhavebeenboundbyties,tenderandwarm,Whichne’erthroughalltimeshallbeseveredagain。

AndeverwhereLoveweaveshisfondwitchery,WillFancytheaidofherbrightnessbestow,Andgivethelovedobject,whateveritbe,Apurer,adearer,aheavenlierglow!

LINESWRITTENINAYOUNGLADY’SALBUM

’Tisnotinyouth,whenlifeisnew,whenbuttoliveissweet,WhenPleasurestrewsherstarlikeflow’rsbeneathourcarelessfeet,WhenHope,thathasnotbeendeferred,firstwavesitsgoldenwings,Andcrowdsthedistantfuturewithathousandlovelythings;——

Whenifatransientgriefo’ershadesthespiritforawhile,Themomentarytearthatfallsisfollowedbyasmile;

Orifapensivemood,attimes,acrossthebosomsteals,Itscarcelysighs,sogentleisthepensivenessitfeelsItisnotthenthe,restlesssoulwillseekforonewithwhomTosharewhateverlotitbears,itsgladnessoritsgloom,——

Sometrusting,tried,andgentleheart,sometrueandfaithfulbreast,Whereonitspinionsitmayfold,andclaimaplaceofrest。

Butoh!whencomestheicychillthatfreezeso’ertheheart,When,onebyone,thejoysweshared,thehopesweheld,depart;

Whenfriends,likeautumn’switheredleaves,havefallenbyourside,Andlife,sopleasantonce,becomesadesertwildandwide;——

Asforherolivebranchthedoveswepto’erthesullenwave,Thatrolledabovetheoldenworld——itsdeath—robeanditsgrave!——

Sowillthespiritsearchtheearthforsomekind,gentleone,Withittoshareherdestiny,andmakeitallherown!

TOALADY。

SuggestedByHearingHerVoiceDuringServicesAtChurch。

Atnight,invisions,whenmysouldrewnearTheshadowyconfinesofthespiritland,Wild,wondrousnotesofsonghavemetmyear,Wrungfromtheirharpsbymanyaseraph’shand;

Andformsoflight,too,moredivinelyfairThanMercy’smessengertoheartsthatmourn,Onwingsthatmadesweetmusicintheair,Haveroundme,inthosehoursofbliss,beenborne,And,filledwithjoyunutterable,I

Havedeemedmyselfabornchildofthesky。

Andoften,too,atsunset’smagichour,Whenmusingbysomesolitarystream,Whilethoughtawokeinitsresistlesspow’r,AndrestlessFancywoveherbrightestdream:

Mysterioustongues,thatwerenotoftheearth,HavewhisperedwordswhichImaynotrepeat,——

ButThoughtorFancyne’erhavegivenbirthToformandvoicelikethine,——sofairandsweet!

NorhaveIfoundthemwhenmyspirit’sflightHadbornemetothefarshoresofdelight。

Abovethemurmursofanhundredlips,Theyrose,thosesilverytonesofpraiseandpray’r,Softasthelightbreeze,whenAuroratripsTheearth,and,lightingupthedarkenedair,Carolshergreetingstothewakingflow’rs!

TheyfelluponmyheartlikesummerrainUponthethirstingfields,——andearlierhours,WhenItoobreathedth’adoringpray’randstrain,Camebackoncemore;thepresentwasbeguiledOfhalfitsgloom,andmywornspiritsmiled。

Pray,lady,thatthesad,soul—searingblight,WhichcomesuponuswhenwetreadthewaysOfsin,maynotbesufferedtoalightOnthypurespiritinitsyouthfuldays;

OrlikethefruitageoftheDeadSeashore,Tho’outwardbloomandfreshnessthoumay’stbe,Sternbitternessanddeathwillgnawthycore,Andthouwiltbeaheart—scathedthinglikeme,Bearingtheweightofmanyyears,erethouHastlostyouth’srosycheekandlinelessbrow。

IMPROMPTU,OnTheReceptionOfALetter。

Iwouldlovetohavetheenearme,ButwhenIthinkhowdrearIseachhopethatusedtocheerme,Iceasetowishtheehere。

Iknowthatthou,wouldstnotshrinkfromThestormsthatburstonme,ButthebitterchaliceIdrinkfrom,Iwillnotpasstothee。

Iwouldsharetheworldwiththee,wereitWithallitspleasuresmine,ButthesorrowswhichIinherit,Ineverwillmakethine!

THEOLDMANANDTHEBOY。

\"Glenara,Glenara,nowreadmemydream。\"

Campbell。

Father,Ihavedreamedadream,WhentherosymorninghourPoureditslightonfieldandstream,Kindlingnaturewithitspow’r;——

O’erthemeadow’sdewybreast,Ihadchasedabutterfly,Temptedbyitsgaudyvest,Stillmyvainpursuittoply,——

Tillmylimbswerewearygrown,WiththedistanceIhadstrayed,ThentorestIlaidmedown,Whereabeechtreecastitsshade,Soonaheavinesscameo’erme,Andadeepsleepsealedmyeyes;

Andavisionpastbeforeme,Fullofchangingphantasies。

FirstIstoodbesideabower,Greenassummerbow’rcouldbe;

Vineandfruit,andleafandflower,Mixedtoweaveitscanopy。

Andwithinreclinedaform,Asembodiedmoonlightfair,Withasoftcheek,freshandwarm,Deepblueeyeandsunnyhair。

Byhersideagobletstood,Suchasbacchanaliansbrim;

Hightherichgrape’scrimsonblood,Sparkledo’eritsgildedrim。

AsIgazed,shebowedherhead,Withagayandgracefulmove,Andinwordsofmusicsaid,\"Drink,andlearntheloreoflove!\"

NextIstoodbesideamountain,Ofmajesticformandheight;

Cliffandcrag,andglenandfountain,Mingledtomakeupitsmight。

OnitsloftybrowweregrowingFlowersneverchilledbygloom,Fortheskyabovethemglowing,Dyedthemwithadeathlessbloom。

AndIsawthecrystaldome,Wondrousinitsmajesty,Whereearth’sgreatonesfindahome,Whentheirspiritsaresetfree。

Byitsportals,IespiedOnewhokeptthecourtswithin;

Highhewavedawreathandcried,\"Comeuphither,——striveandwin!\"

Thenmyvisionchangedagain:

Inafairy—colouredshell,O’erthewidesea’spathlessplain,Iwasspeeding,fastandwell。

Suddenly,beneathitsprow,Partedweretheazurewaves,AndIsawwhere,farbelow,Yawnthevastdeep’ssecretcaves。

WheretheSyrensingshersong,TooldOcean’ssonsanddaughters;

Andthemermaidsdancealong,Tothemusicofthewaters。

Wherethecoralforesto’er,Stormortempestne’erisdrivenAndthegemsthatstrewitsfloor,Sparklelikethestarsinheaven。

Treasures,suchasnevereyeOftheearthhaslookedupon,Goldandpearlsofmanyadye,Thereinrichprofusionshone。

Andavoicecametomyear,Saying,inastern,coldtone,Suchaschillstheheartwithfear,\"Seizeandmaketheprizethineown。\"

Thenacrossacloudedwild,Loneanddrearanddesolate,Wherenocheerfulcottagesmiled,Ipursuedthestepsoffate。

Everbearinginmybreast,Thoughtsalmosttomadnesswrought;

Ever,everseekingrest,NeverfindingwhatISought——

TillIgavemywanderingso’er,Byablackandicystream,——

DeepIplungedandknewnomore:——

Father,readmenowmydream。

Theoldmanbowedhishead,Andpressedhisthinhandtohiswitheredbrow,AsifhestruggledwithsomerisingthoughtWhichshouldhavekeptitsplaceinmemory’surnTillhehadcasttheshadowfromhissoul,WhichforawhilehadbounditinaspellBornofthebygoneyears,——thenthushespoke:

Nowlisten,boy,andIwillshowtotheeTheimportofthyvision,——IwilltellTheewhatitsscenesandshapesofmysteryForeshadowofthefuture,——forfullwellIknowthewizardlore,whosewitcheryBindse’enthetimetocomeinitswildspell!

AndfromapproachingyearsaknowledgewringsOfwhattheybearupontheirviewlesswings。

Alonglife’swearywayofpainandcare,Fromearliestinfancytoeldestage,Forms,viewlessasthesoft—breathedsummerair,Attendman’sfootstepsinhispilgrimage;

Andifhisdestinybedarkorfair,IfPleasuregilds,orSorrowblotsthepageWhereonistracedhishistory,stillhisearWillevercatchtheirwarningvoicesnear。

Andthey——thoseguardianones,who,whilethysleepHungo’ertheelikeacurtain,camearoundAndfannedtheetillthyslumbergrewmoredeep,——

Flungo’erthyrest,soperfectandprofound,Adreamwhosemem’rythousbouldsteverkeepBoundtothyspirit,foraltho’itwound,Thyyoungheartnow,perchance,inafteryears,’Twillsavetheemuchoftoil,andmanytears。

Itwasadreamoflife:ofboyhood’sstrongAndsoul—consumingyearningsafterlove!

Hiseagersearchtofind,amidthethrong,Somehearttogivehimthoughtforthought——tomoveAndminglewithhisown,astwinesthesongFromBeauty’slyreandlips!toknowandproveThedearestjoytocare—cursedmortalsgiven,Theonewithleastofearth,andmostofheavenOfmanhood’sceaselessstrivingsafterfame,——

Theveriestphantomofallphantasies——

Forwhichhewieldsthesword,orlightstheflameWhoseredglaremocksanation’sagonies,——

Orbyhisstar—outwatchingtaper,pliesHispenorpencil,togain——what?aname,Apassingsound——anecho——amerebreath,Whichhe,vainfool,dreamsmightierthandeath!

Andofalaterperiod,whenthesoulForsakesitshighresolvesandwilddesires,WhensternAmbitioncannomorecontrol,AndLovehasshroudedo’eritssmotheredfires;

WhenExpectationceasestoconsole,AndHope,thelastkindcomforter,expires;

AndAvarice,monsterofthegildedvest,Creepsinandoccupiesthevacantbreast。

Andthenthelastsadscene:Thesickheart,soreAndfaintingfromitswounds——thepalsiedlimb——

Thebrowwhosedeath—sweatpeepsfromeverypore——

Theeyewithitslong,wearywatchgrowndim——

Thewithered,wancheek,thatshallbloomnomore——

ThelastdregsdrippingslowlyfromthebrimOflife’sdrainedcup,——behindallgloom,beforeAdeep,darkgulf——weplunge,andalliso’er!

ACLEATTHEGRAYEOFNERO。

ItisacircumstanceconnectedwiththehistoryofNero,thateveryspringandsummer,formanyyearsafterhisdeath,freshandbeautifulflowerswerenightlyscattereduponhisgravebysomeunknownhand。

TraditionrelatesthatitwasdonebyayoungmaidenofCorinth,namedAcle,whomNerohadbroughttoRomefromhernativecity,whitherhehadgoneinthedisguiseofanartist,tocontendintheNemean,Isthinian,andFloralgames,celebratedthere;andwhencehereturnedconquerorinthePalaestra,thechariotrace,andthesong;bearingwithhim,likeJasonofold,asecondMedea,divineinformandfeatureasthefirst,andwholikeherhadleftfather,friends,andcountry,tofollowastranger。

Eventheworsethansavagebarbarityofthissanguinarytyrant,hadnotcuthimofffromallhumanaffection;andthoseflowersweredoubtlessthetributeofthatyounggirl’sholyandenduringlove!

Whosenameisonyonletteredstone?whoseashesrestbeneath?

Thatthusyoucomewithflowerstodeckthemournfulhomeofdeath;

Andthou——whydarkenssothybrowwithgrief’suntimelygloom?

Thouartfitterforabridethanforawatcherbythetomb!

\"Itisthenameofonewhosedeedsmademengrowpalewithfear,AndNero’s,stranger,isthedustthatliessepulchredhere;

Thatnamemaybeawordofharshandbodingsoundtothee,Butoh!ithasamorethanmortalmelodyforme!

\"AndI,——myhearthasgrowntoageingirlhood’sfleetingyears,Andhasoneonlytask——tobatheitsburiedloveintears;

Thealloflifethatyetremainstomeisbutitsbreath;

Thentellme,isitmeetthatIshouldseekthebridalwreath?\"

Butmaiden,heofwhomyonspeakwasofasavagemood,Thattookitsjoyaloneinscenes,ofcarnage,tearsandblood;

Hisdark,wildspiritborethestainofcrime’smostloathsomehue,Andloveisforthehighofsoul——thegentleandthetrue。

\"Thevoicethattaughtanabjectworldtotrembleatitswords,Tomewasmildandmusical,andmellowasabird’s——

Abird’s——thatcouchedamongthegreen,broadbranchesofthedate,Tells,initssilverysongs,itsgushinggladnesstoitsmate。

\"Isawhimfirstbesidethesea;neartorayfather’shome,Whenlikeanoceandeityheboundedfromthefoam;

Ev’nthenagloryseemedtobreathearoundhimashetrod,Andmyhaughtysoulwasbowed,asinthepresenceofaGod。

Iknewnot,tillmyheartwashis,thedarknessofhisown,Nordreamedthathewhoknelttomewasmasterofathrone!

Andwhenthefearfulknowledgecame,itscomingwasinvain,——

Ihadforsakenallforhim,andwoulddosoagain。\"

Islovetheoffspringofthewill?orisit,likeaflower,Sofrailthatitmayfadeandbeforgotteninanhour?

No,no!itspringsunbiddenwheretheheart’sdeepfountainsplay,Andcherishedbytheirhalloweddew,itcannotpassaway!

THEVENETIANGIRL’SEVENINGSONG。

Unmoortheskiff,——unmoortheskiff,——

Thenightwind’ssighisontheair,Ando’erthehighestAlpinecliff,Thepalemoonrises,broadandclear。

Themurmuringwavesaretranquilnow,AndontheirbreasteachtwinklingstarWithwhichNightgemsherduskybrow,Flingsitsmildradiancefromafar。

Putoffuponthedeepbluesea,Andleavethebanquetandtheball;

Forsolitude,whensharedwiththee,Isdearerthanthecarnival。

Andinmyheartarethoughtsoflove,Suchthoughtsaslipsshouldonlybreathe,Whenthebrightstarskeepwatchabove,Andthecalmwaterssleepbeneath!

ThetaleIhaveforthee,perchance,MaytothineeyeanewimpartThelong—lostgladnessofitsglance,Andsoothethesorrowsofthyheart;

Come,Iwillsingfortheeagain,Thesongswhichonceourmotherssung,EretyrannyitsgallingchainOnthem,andthosetheyloved,hadhung。

Thou’rtsad;thousay’stthatinthehallsWhichechoedonceourfather’stread,Thestranger’sidlefootstepfalls,Withsoundthatmightawakethedead!

Themightydead!whosedustaroundAnatmosphereofreverencesheds;

Ifaughtofearthlyvoiceorsound,Mightreachthemintheirmarblebeds。

Thatshetowhomthedeepgavebirth,——

FairVenice!towhosequeenlystoresThewealthandbeautyoftheearthWerewaftedfromanhundredshores!

Nowonherwave—girtsite,forlorn,Sitsshroudedinaffliction’snight,——

Theobjectofthetyrant’sscorn,Sadmonumentoffallenmight。

Well,tho’inherdesertedhallsThefireonFreedom’sshrineisdead,Tho’o’erherdarkened,crumblingwalls,SternDesolation’spallisspread;

Isnotthesecondbetterpart,Tothatwhichrendsthedespot’schain,Towearitwithadauntlessheart,Tofeelyetshrinknotfromitspain?

ThenletthecreepingivytwineItswreathsabouteachruinedarch,TillTimeshallcrushtheminthebrine,Beneathitsall—triumphantmarch!

ThenlettheswellingwaterscloseAbovethesea—child’ssinkingframe,Andhideforeverfromherfoes,Eachtraceandvestigeofhershame。

Shallweatlastlesscalmlysleep,Wheninthenarrowdeath—housepent,BecausethebosomofthedeepShallbeouronlymonument?

No!bythewasteofwatersbid,Ourtombsaswellshallkeeptheirtrust,Astho’amarblepyramidWerepiledaboveourmangleddust!

WrittenintheNationalGallery,atthecityofWashington,onlookingataMummy,supposedtohavebelongedtoaraceextinctbeforetheoccupationoftheWesternContinentbythepeopleinwhosepossessiontheEuropeansfoundit。

SoleandmysteriousrelicofaraceThatlonghasceasedtobe,whoseveryname,Time,everbearingonwithsteadypace,Hassweptawayfromearth,leavingthyframe,Darkenedbythirtycenturies,toclaim,Amongtherecordsofthethingsthatwere,Itsplace,——Traditionhasforgotthee——Fame,Ifeverfamewasthine,hasceasedtobearHerrecordofthee,——say,whatdostthouhere?

Threethousandyearsagoamother’sarmsWerewrappedaboutthatdarkandghastlyform,Andallthelovelinessofchildhood’scharmsGlowedonthatcheek,withlifethenflushedandwarm;

Say,whatpreservedtheefromthehungrywormThathauntswithgnawingtooththegloomybedSpreadforthelifeless?TellwhatcoulddisarmDecayofhalfitspower,andwhileitfedOnempires——races——makeitsparethedead!

Howstrangetocontemplatethewondrousstory,Whenthosedeepsunkeneyesfirstsawthelight,LostBabylonwasinhermiddayglory,——

Uponherprideandpowerhadfall’nnoblight;

AndTyre,theancientmariner’sdelight,Whosemerchantmenwereprinces,andwhosenameWasthemeofpraisetoall,haslefthersiteToutterbarrennakednessandshame,——

Yetthou,amidallchange,artstillthesame。

Andshewho,bythe\"yellowTiber’s\"side,Sitswrappedinherdarkveilofwidowhood,Withscarceaglimmerofherancientpride,TocheerthegloomofthatdeepsolitudeWhicho’ertheseatofvanquishedpow’rdothbrood,Sincethouwastbornhasseenhergloriesrise,Burn,andexpire!quenchedbythestreamsofbloodWhichherslavesdrewfromherownveins,thepriceOfusurpation,proudAmbition’ssacrifice!

Anddarkerinherfate,andsadderstill,Thesacredcityoftheminstrelking,ThatproudlysatonZion’sholyhill,Thewonderoftheworld!Destruction’swingHathfromherswepteachfairandgoodlything;

Herpalacesandtemples!wherearethey?

Herwallsandmarbletow’rsliemouldering,Herglorytothespoiler’shandaprey,——

Andyettimesparesaportionofthyclay!

Andthouarthereamidastrangerrace,Towhomtheseshoresfourcenturiesago,Tho’nowproudFreedom’sboasteddwelling—place,Wereallunknown;thewidestreamsthatnowflowWhereCultivation’shandhassteeredherplough,HadthenbutseentheforesthuntsmanguideHislightcanoeacrossthewaveswhichnowReflectthesnowysailsthatwaftinprideThestatelyshipalongtheirripplingtide。

Thouartthesilentmessengerofages,SentbacktotreadwithTimehisconstantway,Toshamethewisdomofconceitedsages,Whoseloreisbutathingofyesterday;

Whatwouldtheirbest,theirbrightestvisionsweighBesidethefearfultruthsthoucouldstreveal?

ThesecretsofeternitynowlayUnveiledbeforethee,andforweorweal,Thydoomisfixedbeyondev’nheaven’srepeal。

IwillnotasktheeofthemysteriesThatliebeyondDeath’sshadowyvale;butthouMaysttellusofthefatetheDestiniesWoveforthineearthlysojourn。WasthybrowGracedwiththepoet’s,hero’sgarland?HowDealtFortunewiththee?DidshecurseorblessTheewithherfrownorsmile?Speak!thouartnowAmongtheliving,——theyaroundtheepress。

Stillsilent?Thenthylotwecanbutguess。

Perhapsthouwastamonarch,andhastwornThesceptreofsomerealElDorado!

Perhapsawarrior,andthosearmshaveborneTheforemostshield,anddealtthedeadliestblowThatdrewthelife—bloodofawarringfoe!

Perhapsthouwor’stthecourtier’sgildedthrall,——

Someglitteringcourt’sgay,proudpapilio!

Perchanceaclown,thejesterofsomehall,Theslaveofoneman,andthefoolofall!

Ohlife!andpride!andhonour!comeandseeTowhatadepthyourvisionstumbledown!

Beholdyourwearer,——whoshallsayifheWeremonarch,warrior,parasite,orclown!

Andye,whotalkofgloryandrenown,Andcallthembrightanddeathless!andwhobreakEachdearertietograspfame’sgildedcrown,Come,hearinstructionfromthisshadowspeak,Andlearnhowvaluelesstheprizeyeseek!

Seewhereambition’sloftiestflightdothtend,Beholdthedoomperhapsofblood—boughtfame,Andknowthatallwhichearthcangivemustend,Industandashes,andanemptyname!

Yepassions!whichdefyourpow’rtotameOrcurbyourheadlongtides,beholdyourhome!

Love!seethebreastwherethoudidstlightthyflame!

Immortalspirit!seethyshattereddome!

Whenshallitshourofrenovationcome?

Shalllifepossess,andbeautydeckagainThatwitheredform,andfoulandduskycheek?

WillDeathresignhisdullandfrozenreign,AndtheimmortalsoulreturntoseekHerlong—deserteddwelling,andtobreakThebondagewhichhasheldinicychainsAllthatwasmortalofthee?willshemakeHerhomeinthee,andshallthesepoorremainsSharewithherheaven’spleasuresorhell’spains?

Wonderofwonders!whocouldlookontheeAndafterwardsurveywithcuriouseyeThemoulderingshrineswheredupeshavebenttheknee,Wheresuperstition,byhypocrisyNurturedandfedwithtalesofmystery,Hasoftwithtimidfootsteptremblingtrod,——

Alltheseareworsethannothing;comeandseeWhereonceadeathlesssoulhelditsabode,——

ThewreckedandruinedpalaceofaGod!

Farewell!Notidlyhasthishourbeenspent。

ThysilentteachingsImaynotforget,——

Moredeeply,strangely,trulyeloquent,ThanallthebabbledwordswhicheveryetHavefall’nfromlivinglips,——theyshallbesetWiththebrightgemswhichWisdomlovestokeep;

Andwhenmyspiritagainstfatewouldfret,Myeyesshallturntotheeandceasetoweep,TillItoosleepdeath’sdeepanddreamlesssleep!

TOISABEL。

Comenearmewiththylips,and,breatheo’ermineTheirbreath,forIconsumewithlove’sdesire,——

Thineivoryarmsaboutmeclaspandtwine,Andbeamuponmineeyethineeye’ssoftfire;

Claspmeyetcloser,tillmyheartfeelsthineThrill,asthechordsofMemnon’smysticlyreThrilledatthesun’suprising!thouwhoartThelone,theworshippedidolofmyheart!

There!balmierthanthesouthwind,whenitbringsThescentofaromaticshrubandtree,Andtropicfloweronifsglowingwings,Thineodorousbreathiswaftedoverme;

Howtothydewylipsmineownlipclings,Andmywholebeingisabsorbedinthee;

AndinmybreastthineeyeshavelitafireThatnever,never,nevershallexpire!

Eternal——isitnoteternal——thisOurpassionatelove?whatpow’rshallpartustwain?

NotevenDeath!LifecouldbestownoblissLikedeathwiththee,andIwouldrenditschainIfthoushouldstperish,formyheavenisTogazeuponthee!IcouldbearallpainUnsighing,sonotpartedfromthyside,Mybeautiful!myspirit’schosenbride!

Theytrytowoomefromthyfondembrace,Toluremefromthelightofthosedeareyes;

Theytellmethatinfortune’sarduouschase,Ihavesuchfleetnessaswouldwintheprize;——

Butallthepompsofcircumstanceandplace,Aglance,aword,asmileofthineoutvies!

LeaveFortunetoherparasites!minebeTheblessedlottodwellwithloveandthee。

Toleadtheeonthroughlife,andtoenlargeThysoulwithaddedknowledge,daybyday,Toguardthee,asanangelguardshischarge,Fromeveryillthatlurksalongtheway!

Tosmooththatruggedway,andstrewitsmargeWiththebrightflowrsthatnevercandecay,——

Thiswerealottooglorious,toodivine,AndyetHopewhispersthatitshallbemine。

Nowlisten,love,——thisplanshallrulemylifeAndthine:——Insomeremoteandsunnydell,Farfromthecrowdedcity’ssillystrife,Myhandsshallrearthehomewherewewilldwell;

Shalltillthesoil,withfertilefruitagerife,Andteachthegoldeneartoshootandswell;

AndmysolewishedforrecompenseshallbeMyevergrowing,deep’ningloveforthee。

Thytaskshallbetotrainthetrailingvine,Towatch,andcherishinitsgrowth,theflow’rWhosebreathandcheekaresweetandfairasthine;

Toblessandbrightenthedomesticbow’rWherewewillbuildtoLoveahallowedshrine,Andbowus,inhisworship,everyhour;

Till,chastenedbythysmile,myhearthasgrownAspure,andsoft,andsinlessasthineown。

Oh,hasten,love!torealizethedream,——

Comefromtheworld,——thecrowdisnotforthee;

Forsakeitthen,erethecontagioussteamOfitsfoulbreathhassoiledthypurity;——

Come,formyheartwouldburstcouldIbutdeemThatsuchastheyare,thoucouldsteverbe!

Come,formysouladorestheewithaloveAsburningastheseraphsfeelabove。

TheselinesareinscribedtothememoryofJohnQ。Carlin,killedatBuenaVista。

Warrioroftheyouthfulbrow,Eagerheartandeagleeye!

Pantsthysoulforbattlenow?

Burnsthyglancewithvictory?

Dostthoudreamofconflictsdone,Perilspastandtrophieswon?

Andanation’sgratefulpraiseGiventothineafterdays?

Bloodlessisthycheek,andcoldAstheclayuponitprest;

Andinmanyaslimyfold,Windsthegrave—wormroundthybreast。

Thouwiltjointhefightnomore,——

Glory’sdreamwiththeeiso’er,——

AndalikearenowtotheeGreatnessandobscurity。

Butaneversunnysky,O’erthyplaceofrestisbending;

Andabovethygrave,andnigh,Flowerseverbrightareblending。

O’erthydreamless,calmrepose,Balmilythesouthwindblows,——

Withthegreenturfonthybreast,Restthee,youthfulwarrior,rest!

Whenthealarumfirstwassounded,Marshallinginarmsthebrave,Forththyfearlessspiritbounded,Toobtainthee——what?Agrave!

Famehadwhisperedinthineear,Wordsthehigh—souledlovetohear,——

ButtheruthlesshandofdeathFromtheesnatchedthehero’swreath。

Oftenwillthegrief—shadestartO’erthysister’smoodofjoy,Vainlywillthymother’sheartYearntogreetherabsentboy;

Neversister’slipshallpressOnthineownitsfondcaress,——

Nevermoreamother’seyeFlashinpridewhenthouartby!

Wheretheorange,bendinglowlyWithitsgoldenfruit,isswaying;

AndtheIndianmaiden,slowlyByhernativestreamisstraying;

O’erthydreamless,calmrepose,BalmilytheSouthwindblows,——

Withthegreenturfonthybreast,Restthee,youthfulwarrior,rest!

ALEGENDOFTHEHARTZ。

Manyagesago,nearthehighHartz,theredweltAruderaceofblood—lovinggiants,whofeltNojoybutthefierceonewhichCarnagebestows,Whenherfoullipsarecloggedwiththebloodofherfoes。

AndfiercerandbolderthanalloftherestWasBohdo,(1)theirchieftain;——’twasstrangethatabreast,Whichnothinglikekindnessorpitymightmove,Shouldglowwiththewarmthandtheraptureoflove。

Yetheloved,andthepalemountain—monarch’sfairchildWasthemaidofhisheart;buttho’burningandwildWasthelovethatheboreher,itwonnoreturn,Andtheflamethatconsumedhimwasansweredwithscorn。

Nowtheladyisgonewithhersteedtotheplain,——

Savethefalconandhoundthereisnoneinhertrain;

Sheneedsnonetoguide,ortoguardherfromharmThere’snofearinherheart,thereisstrengthinherarm。

Fromherwhitewristunhoodedherfalconshethrew,HerbowlikeDiana,thehuntress,shedrew;

Andfleetasthefetterlessbirdsweptthesky,Soonherproudsteedsweptthefairladyby。

Seehowhereyesparkles,andhowhercheekglows,Asonwardsofearlessandproudlyshegoes,Withherlocksstreamingbacklikeabannerofgold,Wereshenot,say,abridemeetforNimrod(2)ofold?

Andhesawher——thechief,fromhistowerafar——

Assheglancedo’ertheearthlikesomewanderingstar;

Andhesworesheshouldcomeinthattowertodwell,Orhissoulbeaprizetothespiritsofhell。

Hiswar—horsehemounted,and,swiftastheshootOfthenight—gatheredmeteor,hespedinpursuit,——

Breathingout,ashewent,madwithloveandwithhate,Bittercurseuponcurseagainstheavenandfate。

Urgingonhisfleetcourserwithspurandwithrein,Heswepto’ertheearthasthestormsweepstheplain,——

Andthefairladyknew,bythegleamofhisshield,ItwasBohdo,thescourgeoftheredbattlefield!

Thenspurredshehersteedovervalleyandhill,Overrock,marshandmoor,overriverandrill,Yetstillhereyesparkled,andstillhercheekglowed,Asonwardsofleetlyandbravelysherode。

ThusoverThuringiaspedsheaway,Withthespeedofthehawkwhenhedartsonhisprey,——

Oranarrowletloosefromawarrior’sbow,Whenitspeedswithsureaimtotheheartofhisfoe。

ThentheHartz,thewildHartz——theterrific——theproud!

Wherethemist—spiritdwellsinhispalaceofcloud!

Wheretheevilonesgatherinenviouswrath,Toblightandtoblast,——toweredupinherpath。

Stillhercheekkeptitsglow,stillhereyeflashedinpride,Asonwardsheflewupthesteepmountainside;

Andfierceasthetempest,andfleetasthewind,SternBohdo,theruthless,stillfollowedbehind。

Toafearfulabyss,whoseunhallowedname(3)

Bythepowersofdarknesswasgiven,shecame,Andthewhirlpool’swildvoice,fromthedarkgulfbelow,Cameuplikethewailofasoulinitswe。

Beyondrosetherockyshelf,barrenandbare,Beneathlaythewhirlpool,aroundherdespair,Behindhercameone,sweepingoninthechase,Whosegraspwasmoredreadedthandeath’scoldembrace。

Thenshecalledonthespiritswhowatchroundthebrave,Inperiltonerve,toassistandtosave,Closedcalmlyhereyes,asonesinkinginsleep,Andurgedherproudsteedtotheterribleleap!

Amomentitpausedonthehighprecipice,Thensprang,boldlysprang,o’erthefrightfulabyss!

AndstruckitsfirmhoofintherocktillthesoundShookthehills,andthesparksflewlikelightningaround!

Andthefoot—printitlefthasremainedtothisday,Andnorain—floodortempestshallwearitaway;

Shewassaved——thebraveEmmawassaved——buthercrown,Fromherfairbrowunloosed,inthewhirlpoolsankdown。

On,oncamethechief,inhisfiercenessandwrath,Norsawhethewidegulfthatyawnedinhispath,——

Andsoon,inthedepthsofitsfathomlesstide,Thewarriorandwar—steedwerelaidsidebyside。

Andthemountaineertellshowinsullendespair,Hisghost,imannealedofitssins,lingersthere;

Everwatching,pale,silent,untiring,unmoved,Thebrightgoldencrownofthemaidenheloved。

Adiveronce,luredbythewealthoftheprize,Soughtoutthedeepcavewhereitlay,andstilllies,Andwhere,chainedbyaspirit—breathedspell,itshallstay,Tillthewhirlpoolandmountainalikepassaway。

Twiceherosewiththecrown,tillitsgleamingpointsblazedOntheeyesofthewonderingthousandswhogazed,Twiceitfellfromhisgrasp,andsankquicklyagainTothebedwhereforyearsundisturbedithadlain。

Hefollowed,——thiseffortthetreasuremayearn——

Butvainlytheywatchwhoawaithisreturn;

Aredhueofbloodtingedthedeepwaterso’er,Butthedivercameupfromtheirdarkdepthsnomore。

1。Bohdo。Thishero,ashischaracterisdrawnintheoriginallegend,ortradition,fromwhichthematerialoftheseverseswastaken(atraditionwhichgivesthepopularaccountoftheformationofanimmensemarkorcavityinarock,calledthe\"Rosstrappe\"or\"Horse’sfootstep,\")isworthyofbeingenrolledamongOdin’sBerserker。

2。Nimrod。\"AmightyhunterbeforetheLord。\"HebuiltBabylonandfoundedthatroyallinewhichterminatedwiththedeathofSardanapalus;whosegentlenessandaversiontobloodspilling,togetherwithhispassionforhis\"IonianMyrrha,\"costhimanempire,andgainedhimanimmortality。

3。\"Itwasnamed,\"saysthetradition,\"TheDevil’sdancing—place,fromthetriumphthereofthespiritsofhell。\"