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A youth, but just passing from childhood's sweet morning,

While round him still linger'd its innocent ray; Though gleams, from beneath his shut eyelids gave warning

Of summer-noon lightnings that under them lay.

His brow had a grace more than mortal around it,
While, glossy as gold from a fairy-land mine,
His sunny hair hung, and the flowers that crown'd it
Seem'd fresh from the breeze of some garden
divine.

Entranced stood the bride, on that miracle gazing,
What late was but love is idolatry now;
But, ah-in her tremor the fatal lamp raising—
A sparkle flew from it and dropp'd on his brow.

All's lost-with a start from his rosy sleep waking, The Spirit flash'd o'er her his glances of fire; Then, slow from the clasp of her snowy arms break

ing,

Thus said, in a voice more of sorrow than ire:

"Farewell what a dream thy suspicion hath

broken!

"Thus ever Affection's fond vision is crost; "Dissolved are her spells when a doubt is but spoken,

"And love, once distrusted, for ever is lost!"

HERO AND LEANDER.

"THE night-wind is moaning with mournful sigh, "There gleameth no moon in the misty sky, "No star over Helle's sea;

"Yet, yet, there is shining one holy light, "One love-kindled star through the deep of night, “To lead me, sweet Hero, to thee!"

Thus saying, he plunged in the foamy stream,
Still fixing his gaze on that distant beam
No eye but a lover's could see;

And still, as the surge swept over his head,
"To-night," he said tenderly, "living or dead,
"Sweet Hero, I'll rest with thee!"

But fiercer around him the wild waves speed;
Oh, Love in that hour of thy votary's need,
Where, where could thy Spirit be?

He struggles-he sinks-while the hurricane's breath
Bears rudely away his last farewell in death-
"Sweet Hero, I die for thee!"

THE LEAF AND THE FOUNTAIN.

“TELL me, kind Seer, I pray thee,

"So may the stars obey thee,

66

"So may each airy

"Moon-elf and fairy

Nightly their homage pay thee!

"Say, by what spell, above, below,

"In stars that wink or flowers that blow,

"I may discover,

"Ere night is over,

"Whether my love loves me, or no,

"Whether my love loves me."

"Maiden, the dark tree nigh thee

"Hath charms no gold could buy thee;

"Its stem enchanted,

"By moon-elves planted,

"Will all thou seek'st supply thee.

"Climb to yon boughs that highest grow,

"Bring thence their fairest leaf below;

"And thou'lt discover,

"Ere night is over,

"Whether thy love loves thee or no,
"Whether thy love loves thee."

"See, up the dark tree going,
"With blossoms round me blowing,

"From thence, oh Father,

"This leaf I gather,

"Fairest that there is growing.

"Say, by what sign I now shall know

"If in this leaf lie bliss or woe

"And thus discover

"Ere night is over,

"Whether my love loves me or no,
"Whether my love loves me."

"Fly to yon fount that's welling

"Where moonbeam ne'er had dwelling,

"Dip in its water

"That leaf, oh Daughter,

"And mark the tale 'tis telling*;

*The ancients had a mode of divination somewhat similar to this; and we find the Emperor Adrian, when he went to

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