THE CONTRAST. LINES WRITTEN WHILE STANDING UNDER WINDSOR TERRACE. I. I SAW him once on the Terrace proud, Not a single look of sadness; Bright was the sun and the trees were green, The cymbal replied to the tambourine II. I stood at the grave beside his bier, But every eye was dim with a tear, And the silence by sobs was broken. The time since he walked in his glory thus To the grave till I saw him carried, Was an age of the mightiest change to us, But to him of night unvaried. III. For his eyes were sealed and his mind was dark, IV. We have fought the fight. From his lofty throne And it gladdened each heart, save his alone His silver beard o'er a bosom spread Like a yearly lengthening snowdrift shed V. Still o'er him Oblivion's waters lay, Though the tide of life kept flowing; When they spoke of the King, 'twas but to say, "The old man's strength is going." At intervals thus the waves disgorge, By weakness rent asunder, A piece of the wreck of the Royal George, For the people's pity and wonder. VI. He is gone at length—he is laid in dust, And should sculptured stone be denied him, There will his name be found, when in turn We lay our heads beside him. ON HEARING "THE LAST ROSE OF SUMMER." I. THAT strain again! It seems to tell I love its mourning accents well, Like voice of one, ah ! broken-hearted. II. That note that pensive dies away, And can each answering thrill awaken, It sadly, wildly, seems to say, Thy meek heart mourns its truth forsaken. III. Or there was one who never more Shall meet thee with the looks of gladness, When all of happier life was o'er, When first began thy night of sadness. IV. Sweet mourner, cease that melting strain, Too well it suits the grave's cold slumbers; Too well-the heart that loved in vain Breathes, lives, and weeps in those wild numbers. SONNET. My spirit's on the mountains, where the birds Though but in fancy-for my mind is free This is delusion-but it is so sweet That I could live deluded. Let me be Persuaded that my springing soul may meet The eagle on the hills-and I am free. Who'd not be flattered by a fate like this? To fancy is to feel our happiness. |