234 MOONLIGHT ON THE HUDSON. Even as I gaze upon my memory's track, Bright as that coil of light along the deep, A scene of early youth comes dream-like back, Where two are gazing from yon tide-swept steep: A sanguine strippling, just toward manhood flushing; A girl scarce yet in ripened beauty blushing. The hour is his! and while his hopes are soaring Can she resist that gush of wild adoring Fresh from a heart full volumed as the tide ? Tremulous yet various is that glorious daughter Of loveliness, as is the star-paved water. MOONLIGHT ON THE HUDSON. But now, bright Peri of the skies, descending Thy pearly car hangs o'er yon mountain's crest, 235 Farewell! Though tears on every leaf are starting, TO THE HUMA. A bird peculiar to the East. It is supposed to fly constantly in the air and never touch the ground.] BY L. P. SMITH. FLY on nor touch thy wing, bright bird, Too near our shaded earth, Or the warbling, now so sweetly heard, Fly on-nor seek a place of rest In the home of " care-worn things;" To dip them where the waters glide The fields of upper air are thine, Thy place where stars shine free: I would thy home, bright one, were mine, I would never wander, bird, like thee, So near this place again, TO THЕ HUMA. With wing and spirit once light and free- With which they are bound and fettered here, There are many things like thee, bright bird, Hopes as thy plumage gay; Our air is with them for ever stirred, But still in air they stay. And Happiness, like thee, fair one, Is ever hovering o'er, But rests in a land of brighter sun, On a waveless peaceful shore, And stoops to lave her weary wings, Where the fount of "living waters" springs. 237 |