THE GRAVES OF A HOUSEHOLD. (See Frontispiece.) THEY grew in beauty side by side, The same fond mother bent at night She had each folded flower in sight- One 'midst the forests of the West, Far in the cedar shade. The sea, the blue lone sea, hath one, One sleeps where southern vines are drest He wrapt his colours round his breast On a blood-red field of Spain. And one-o'er her the myrtle showers Its leaves, by soft winds fanned; She faded 'midst Italian flowers, The last of that bright band. And, parted thus, they rest-who played Whose voices mingled as they prayed Around one parent knee: They that with smiles lit up the hall, And cheered with song the hearth, Alas for love, if thou wert all, And nought beyond, O earth! MRS. HEMANS. AND lo, The trees with foliage, cliffs with flowers are crowned; Pure rills through vales of verdure warbling go; And wonder, love, and joy, the peasant's heart o'erflow. The waters, bursting from their slimy bed, Bring health and melody to every vale: And, from the breezy main, and mountain's head, To fan their glowing charms, invite the fluttering gale. |