THE EDGE OF THE SWAMP. 275 His ridgy back uprising as he speeds, In silence to the centre of the stream, Flies with an hurried effort, to the shore, Seeking his kindred flowers :—but seeks in vain- That taint the gloomy atmosphere — dusk shades, That gather, half a cloud, and half a fiend In aspect, lurking on the swamp's wild edge,- THE SONG OF THE STROMKERL. BY PARK BENJAMIN. [The Swedes delight to tell of the Stromkerl, or boy of the stream, who haunts the glassy brooks that steal gently through green meadows, and sits on the silver waves at moonlight, playing his harp to the elves who dance on the flowery margin.-W. Irving.] COME, dance, elfins, dance! for my harp is in tune, Each lily that bends to the breast of my stream, Will in ecstacy wake, like a bride from her dream, When my tones stir the dark plumes of silence and night. My silken winged bark shall career by the shore, THE SONG OF THE STROMKER L. 277 The banks of my stream are enamelled with flowers Come, shake from their petals the sweet, starry dew; Such music and incense can only be ours, While clear falls the summer sky's curtain of blue! Come, queen of the revels-come, form into bands Let your dainty feet glance to my wave-wafted strain! 'Tis the Stromkerl who calls you, the boy of the stream I hear the faint hum of your voices afar :Come, dance! I will play till the morn's rosy beam Into splendour shall melt the last lingering star! THE gay saloon was thronged with grace and beauty, While astral rays shone out on lovely eyes, And lovely eyes looked forth a clearer beam. Fashion was there-not in her flaunting robes, Lavish of charms - but that fair sprite, who moulds All to her touch, yet leaves it nature still. The light young laugh came reed-like on the ear, Catching the gracious word of courtesy, A SKETCH. There was a hum of social harmony, "Like the soft south" upon the rushing seas. A voice was there-clear and distinct it rose In the heart's cavern, deep that voice went down, Oh, woman! lovely in thy beauty's power! Thrice lovely, when we know that thou canst turn To duty's path, and tread it with a smile. 279 |