LXIV.

With all the uncheck'd ardour of her heart,
With eye of fire absorbing all her tears,
She stood before him, when her too true fears
Had confirmation that they were to part.

When Love with sorrow tempereth his dart,

A woman's tenderness the more endears;

But love that speaks through pride with hot breath sears The heart it reacheth with the keenest smart.

Allied to fervid passion is the pain

Of disappointment, jealousy, and scorn; And those who can the force of one sustain, Must o'er the others often brood forlornFor Reason from his throne proclaims in vain

His boasted laws to those who 're passion-born.

LXV.

Grand is the dark blue canopy of sky;
Sweet is the fragrance of the simple flowers;
Soothing the nightingale, when sleep for hours.
Has hush'd all sounds save that lone melody:
Unto these spells I yield delightedly;

But there's a charm that all of these excels-
The fascinating lustre of thine eye,

When th' impassioned soul within it dwells. Oft what we love the most we lose the first

Blue skies, sweet flow'rs, and birds will aye renew Their songs and beauties-but the image nursed

In my heart's temple, if that death subdue

The form that gave it, may the shrine then burst,
And with the idol cease the worship too!

LXVI.

Mocking our boasted reason's subtlest trace,

Dashing the flowing tide of Science back, Unfound on Fancy's wild presumptuous track, Is the Almighty's secret dwelling-place! Oft to the infinite and star-lit space

I turn my gaze in thoughtful wonderment,
Discerning feebly by the light that's lent
Eternal mystery for the human race.

O for a spirit's essence, that could reach
Into the hidden truth of sacred things,
And see their depth and beauty! O for speech
To utter forth their grandeur! O for wings
To lift me 'bove the doubts that men still preach,
Veiling them o'er with vain imaginings.

LXVII.

TO A FRIEND.

1.

Why nurse this dream of beauty, pass'd away
Like summer flowers upon thy path of youth,
When calm reflection re-affirms the truth,
'Twas a false light that led thee so astray?
These sickly, idle thoughts have gain'd a sway

Over thy better nature-be a man!

Shape thine existence to some noble plan, "Twill soon this spectre of the past allay.

When Passion's feverish excitements cease,
And Pride has humbled her ambitious wings,
Thou'lt soon appreciate the solid peace

That from Life's sterner obligations springs : Thy judgment strengthened by thy years' increase, Thou'lt scorn the folly of these vainer things.

LXVIII.

2.

Yet not from years' increase, nor love's decline,
Deem thou alone thy happiness shall come;
But seek to make thy heart the welcome home
Of those deep sympathies that most entwine
Round soul and soul-prize all that can refine—
Let Knowledge 'neath her ever open dome
Hear thy pure worship-Virtue see thee roam
Rejoicing in her paths, and call them thine.
Great minds have gone before thee, and their light
Is thy possession-let it be thy guide:

If thou live purposeless, the hastening night.

Cometh the sooner, darken'd by thy pride;

But unto no one shall it be denied

Life's tranquil close, who has pursued the right.