LEGENDARY STANZAS. BY J. B. THOMPSON, ESQ. On the top of Ben Nevis, the snow shines bright,— No foot but my own shall print it; For the feathery feet of my own dear sprite, As he springs to my arms, never dint it!— I fly to suck, from him, the tender dews Then, his dove-like wings around me curled,- And is it not sweet-to that bosom furled- To tell all I can of my virgin flame, Ere my love had fulfilled the fanciful dream, And breathed, through my frame, all its gladness! "Oh, never!" I said, "shall a child of earth Mix, with mine, the warm breathings of passion, For there are spirits of heavenly birth, Who, for love, leave their blissful station !"— And, in radiant light, before me he stood, And sweet were his coveted kisses ;And ne'er was a maiden's soul so wooed, Or steeped in such balmy blisses! He left the bright bowers of Paradise, And its fragrance he breathed around me ;- How swift through the mountain airs would I move, THE LOVER ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE. FROM THE GERMAN. I LOOKED upon the battle plain, I saw the silent hero lie,— I saw the life-blood's deepest stain Though cleft the brow-the bosom gored, He died-as warriors love to die In victory's proud and burning clasp ; -I saw the lover wandering by, With wan cold cheek and nerveless air, He pressed his heart,—I heard him sigh, -Oh! what wild thoughts were gathering there! The dreamy past had lit his brow, I saw him start at one loved name,- TO AN INFANT. THOU wak'st from happy sleep, to play, Of summer and of joy! Thou hast no heavy thought or dream, Long be it thus !-life's early stream Yet, ere the cares of earth lie dim, On thy young spirit's wings,— So, in thy onward vale of tears, Where'er thy path may be, When strength hath bowed to evil years,— He will remember thee! F. H. |