HE butterfly, which sports on gaudy wing; As it goes dancing on its idle way; The sunflower, in broad daylight glistening; Are types of her who in the festive ring Lives but to bask in fashion's vain display, And glittering thro' her bright but useless day, Whose industry for future hours provides ; WINTER. (TO WILLIAM AND MARY HOWITT.) INTER hath bound the brooks in icy chains; Silence is on the woods and on the plains, AST the grey tombs what space an arrow flies, Above, Aricia's battlements arise, As on the branches of the lofty shade The town were based, with all its long parade More shadowy depths and varied tints of green Not Vallombrosa clothe,-here, stranger, stay, And on thy tablet spread the sylvan scene :— Nor charmed alone the prospect's fair array; Rome 1822. S this the spot where Rome's eternal foe A remnant scarcely reached her gates of woe? Is this the stream, thus gliding soft and slow, That, from the gushing wounds of thousands, grew So fierce a flood, that waves of crimson hue Rushed on the bosom of the lake below? The mountains that gave back the battle-cry Are silent now; perchance yon hillocks green Mark where the bones of those old warriors lie. Heaven never gladdened a more peaceful scene; Never left softer breeze a fairer sky To sport upon thy waters, Thrasymene ! ACING, as I was wont, on day of rest, From distant corridor there came a sound, As of a voice that published tidings blest : Along the vaulted way I forward press'd, And soon a group of dark-eyed Romans found, Intent and fixed, like men some spell had bound, The Preacher with such power their souls address'd. The words he spake, his gesture, and rapt look, Betokened one whom Heaven had rendered bold To ope the treasures of the sacred book. Methought the Shepherd visibly forsook Temples, where holy things were bought and sold, For two or three thus gathered to his fold. CHARLES STrong. |