Then the lark dropt down to his mate Died away to a distant sound All sounds died away-the light laugh— And, by little and little, the darkness And, at last, all was dark-then I felt "And when night comes-the dark night of age, What remaineth beneath the sun Of all that was lovely and loved? Of all we have learnt and done? "When the eye waxeth dim, and the ear "Then, what remaineth of life But the lees with bitterness fraught? What then?"-But I check'd as it rose, And rebuked that weak, wicked thought. SUNDAY EVENING. And I lifted mine eyes up, and, lo! In the depths of the dark blue sky. There appeared a sign in the east- And the lesser lights of Heaven Shone out with their pale soft rays, Like the calm unearthy comforts And there came up a sweet perfume Like the mem'ry of well-spent time- Of friends, "departed this life In the Lord's faith and fear." So the burthen of darkness was taken From my soul, and my heart felt light; And I laid me down to slumber With peaceful thoughts that night. TO THE EVENING STAR. While trembling on the falling dew Or, hanging o'er that mirror-stream, Though, blazing on the arch of night, Thine are the soft enchanting hours When twilight lingers on the plain, And whispers to the closing flowers. That soon the sun will rise again. Thine is the breeze that, murmuring bland Fair STAR! though I be doom'd to prove That rapture's tears are mix'd with pain, Ah! still I feel 'tis sweet to love! TO AN INDIAN GOLD COIN. SLAVE of the dark and dirty mine! So bright, whom I have bought so dear?- For twilight converse, arm in arm; The jackal's shriek bursts on mine ear When mirth and music wont to charm. By Chérical's dark wandering streams, By Esk or Eden's classic wave, Where loves of youth and friendship smil'd, Uncurs'd by thee, vile yellow slave! Fade, day-dreams sweet, from memory fade! The perish'd bliss of youth's first prime, That once so bright on fancy play'd, Revives no more in after time. Far from my sacred natal clime, I haste to an untimely grave; The daring thoughts that soar'd sublime Are sunk in ocean's southern wave. Slave of the mine! thy yellow light Gleams baleful on the tomb-fire drear A gentle vision comes by night My lonely widow'd heart to cheer; |