But when they met, pride check'd the soul's warm
And froze the melting spirit of the eye :-
A pride in vulgar hearts that never shone.
And thus they loved, and silently loved on;
But this was not a moment when the head
Could trifle with the heart! The cloud that spread
Its chilling veil between them, now had past-
Too long awaking-but they woke at last!
He rush'd where clung the fainting fair one-sought
To soothe with hopes he felt not, cherish'd not;
And while in passionate support he press'd,
She raised her eyes-then swiftly on his breast
Hid her blanch'd cheek-as if resign'd to share
The worst with him ;-nay, die contented there!
That silent act was fondly eloquent;
And to the youth's deep soul, like lightning, sent
A gleam of rapture-exquisite yet brief,
As his (poor wretch) that in the grave of grief
Feels Fortune's sun burst on him, and looks up
With hope to heaven-forgetful of the cup,
The deadly cup his shivering hand yet strain'd-
A hot heart-pang reminds him-it is drain'd!
Away with words! for when had true love ever
A happy star to bless it?-Never, never!
And oh, the brightest after-smile of Fate
Is but a sad reprieve, which comes-too late!
The riot shout peal'd on ;-but deep distress
Had sunk all else in utter hopelessness!
One mark'd the strife of frenzy and despair-
The most concern'd, and yet the calmest there;
In bitterness of soul beheld his crew-
He should have known them, and he thought he knew ;
The blood-hound on the leash may fawn, obeyHe'll tear thee, shouldst thou cross him at his prey!
One only trust survives, a doubtful one-
But O, how cherish'd, every other gone!
"While hold our cables, fear not"-As he spoke
A sea burst o'er them, and their cables broke!
Then, like a lion bounding from the toil,
The ship shot through the billow's black recoil;
Urged by the howling blast-all guidance gone-
They shuddering felt her reeling, rushing on--
Nor dared to question where; nor dared to cast
One asking look—for that might be their last!
What frowns so steep in front-a cliff? a rock?
The groaning vessel staggers in the shock!
The last shriek rings.
Hark! whence that voice they hear
Loud o'er the rushing waters-loud and near?
Alas! they dream!-'tis but the ocean roar!—
Oh no! it echoes from the swarming shore!
Kind Heaven, thy hand was there. With swelling
bound
The vast waves heaved the giant hull aground;
And, ebbing with the turning tide, became,
Like dying monsters, impotent and tame ;
Wedged in the sand their chafing can no more
Than lave her sides, and deaden with their roar
The clamorous burst of joy. But some there were
Whose joy was voiceless as their late despair-
Whose heavenward eyes, clasp'd hands, and stream-
ing cheeks,
Did speak a language which the lip ne'er speaks!
O, he were heartless, in that passionate hour,
Who could not feel that weakness hath its power,
When gentle woman, sobbing and subdued,
Breathed forth her vow of holy gratitude,
Warm as the contrite Mary's, when-forgiven-
An angel smiled, recording it in heaven!
WRITTEN IN THE CHURCHYARD OF RICHMOND, YORKSHIRE.
It is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three Tabernacles, one for thee, one for Moses, and one for Elias. ST. MATTHEW.
METHINKS it is good to be here,
If thou wilt, let us build-but for whom?
Nor Elias nor Moses appear;
But the shadows of eve that encompass with gloom
The abode of the dead and the place of the tomb.
Shall we build to Ambition? Ah no!
Affrighted, he shrinketh away,-
For see, they would pin him below
In a dark narrow cave, and, begirt with cold clay, To the meanest of reptiles a peer and a prey.
To Beauty? Ah no! she forgets
The charms which she wielded before;
Nor knows the foul worm that he frets
The skin that but yesterday fools could adore,
For the smoothness it held, or the tint which it wore.
Shall we build to the purple of Pride,
The trappings which dizen the proud?
Alas! they are all laid aside,
And here's neither dress nor adornment allow'd
Save the long winding-sheet and the fringe of the
shroud.
To Riches? Alas, 'tis in vain ;
Who hid in their turns have been hid;
The treasures are squander'd again;
And here in the grave are all metals forbid,
Save the tinsel that shines on the dark coffin lid.
To the pleasures which Mirth can afford,
The revel, the laugh, and the jeer?
Ah! here is a plentiful board!
But the guests are all mute as their pitiful cheer,
And none but the worm is a reveller here.
Shall we build to Affection and Love?
Ah, no! They have wither'd and died,
Or fled with the spirit above:
Friends, brothers, and sisters, are laid side by side,
Yet none have saluted, and none have replied.
Unto Sorrow?-The dead cannot grieve;
Not a sob, not a sigh meets mine ear
Which Compassion itself could relieve.
Ah sweetly they slumber, nor love, hope, or fear,
Peace! peace! is the watchword, the only one here.
Unto Death, to whom monarchs must bow?
Ah, no! for his empire is known,
And here there are trophies enow!
Beneath the cold head, and around the dark stone, Are the signs of a sceptre that none may disown.
The first tabernacle to Hope we will build,
And look for the sleepers around us to rise!
The second to Faith, which ensures it fulfill'd; And the third to the Lamb of the great sacrifice, Who bequeath'd us them both when he rose to the
ON HEARING THE ROAR OF THE SEA AT NIGHT.
VOICE of the mighty deep,
Piercing the drowsy night,
Thou scarest the gentle sleep,
Whose pinions will not light
Where thou intrudest busy thought,
With depths dark as thy secrets fraught.
Thy mystic sounds I hear,
Peal of unwonted things;
Of wonders far and near
The hollow music rings,
Its notes borne wild around the world,
Where'er thy dark blue waves are curl'd.
Oh no, I cannot sleep,
Thou vast and glorious sea!
While thou dost thus the vigil keep
Of thy great majesty,
I think God's image near me is,
In all its awful mysteries.
Thou art a spirit, Ocean, thou!
Giant of earth and air,
Spanning the universe; and now,
While making music here,
Ten thousand leagues afar thy wave,
Is rolling on an empire's grave!
Thine arm that shakes me here,
Thunders upon the shore
Of North, and South, and central sphere,
Fuego, Labrador;
|