One more then, one more strain, To earthly joy and pain A rich, and deep, and passionate farewell! I pour each fervent thought With fear, hope, trembling, fraught, Into the notes that o'er my dust shall swell. THE IMAGE IN LAVA.* THOU thing of years departed! Since here the mournful seal was set By love and agony ! Temple and tower have moulder'd, Empires from earth have pass'd,— And woman's heart hath left a trace Those glories to outlast! * The impression of a woman's form, with an infant clasped to the bosom, found at the uncovering of Herculaneum. And childhood's fragile image Thus fearfully enshrin'd, Survives the proud memorials rear'd By conquerors of mankind. Babe! wert thou brightly slumbering Upon thy mother's breast, When suddenly the fiery tomb Shut round each gentle guest? A strange dark fate o'ertook you, Fair babe and loving heart! One moment of a thousand pangs Yet better than to part! Haply of that fond bosom, On ashes here impress'd, Thou wert the only treasure, child! Whereon a hope might rest. Perchance all vainly lavish'd, Its other love had been, And where it trusted, nought remain'd But thorns on which to lean. Far better then to perish, Thy form within its clasp, Than live and lose thee, precious one! From that impassion'd grasp. Oh! I could pass all relics Left by the pomps of old, To gaze on this rude monument, Love, human love! what art thou? Wherein the mighty trust! |