While, in a ship begirt with silver bells, They round his altar bore the hornèd God, When universal sea the mountains overflowed. Why speak of Roman pomps? the haughty claims At length a spirit more subdued and soft Even such, this day, came wafted on the breeze Still in the vivid freshness of a dream, The impenetrable heart of that exalted mount ! They, too, who send so far a holy gleam. Not virgin lilies marshalled in bright row, Than the fair forms, that in long order glide, Trembling, I look upon the secret springs ELEGIAC STANZAS The lamented youth, whose untimely death gave occasion to these elegiac verses, was Frederick William Goddard, from Boston in North America. He was in his twentieth year, and had resided for some time with a clergyman in the neighbourhood of Geneva for the completion of his education. Accompanied by a fellowpupil, a native of Scotland, he had just set out on a Swiss tour when it was his misfortune to fall in with a friend of mine who was hastening to join our party. The travellers, after spending a day together on the road from Berne and at Soleure, took leave of each other at night, the young men having intended to proceed directly to Zurich. But early in the morning my friend found his new acquaintances, who were informed of the object of his journey, and the friends he was in pursuit of, equipped to accompany him. We met at Lucerne the succeeding evening, and Mr. G. and his fellow-student became in consequence our travelling companions for a couple of days. We ascended the Righi together; and, after contemplating the sunrise from that noble mountain, we separated at an hour and on a spot well suited to the parting of those who were to meet no more. Our party descended through the valley of Our Lady of the Snow, and our late companions, to Art. We had hoped to meet in a few weeks at Geneva; but on the third succeeding day (on the 21st of August) Mr. Goddard perished, being overset in a boat while crossing the Lake of Zurich. His companion saved himself by swimming, and was hospitably received in the mansion of a Swiss gentleman (M. Keller) situated on the eastern coast of the lake. The corpse of poor Goddard was cast ashore on the estate of the same gentleman, who generously performed all the rites of hospitality which could be rendered to the dead as well as to the living. He caused a handsome mural monument to be erected in the church of Küsnacht, which records the premature fate of the young American, and on the shores too of the lake the traveller may read an inscription pointing out the spot where the body was deposited by the waves. LULLED by the sound of pastoral bells, The sky was blue, the air was mild; The genial spot had ever shown A countenance that sweetly smiled, And we were gay, our hearts at ease; If foresight could have rent the veil 1 Mount Righi-Regina Montium. Oh GODDARD! what art thou? a name, A sunbeam followed by a shade! Nor more, for aught that time supplies, We met, while festive mirth ran wild, We parted upon solemn ground Fetch, sympathising powers of air, Beloved by every gentle muse He left his transatlantic home: Europe, a realised romance, Had opened on his eager glance; What present bliss! what golden views! Though lodged within no vigorous frame, Not vain is sadly-uttered praise; The words of truth's memorial vow Lamented youth! to thy cold clay And, when thy mother weeps for thee, SKY-PROSPECT-FROM THE PLAIN OF FRANCE Lo! in the burning west, the craggy nape 1 The persuasion here expressed was not groundless. The first human consolation that the afflicted mother felt was derived from this tribute to her son's memory, a fact which the author learned, at his own residence, from her daughter, who visited Europe some years afterwards. Goldau is one of the villages desolated by the fall of part of the mountain Rossberg. |