The same fond mother bent at night One, midst the forests of the West, The Indian knows his place of rest, The sea, the blue lone sea, hath one- One sleeps where Southern vines are drest He wrapt his colours round his breast And one-o'er her the myrtle showers And parted thus they rest, who played They that with smiles lit up the hall, And cheered with song the hearth!· Alas, for love! if thou wert all, And naught beyond, O Earth! MOZART'S REQUIEM 165 MOZART'S REQUIEM ["A SHORT time before the death of Mozart, a stranger of remarkable appearance, and dressed in deep mourning, called at his house, and requested him to prepare a requiem, in his best style, for the funeral of a distinguished person. The sensitive imagination of the composer immediately seized upon the circumstance as an omen of his own fate; and the nervous anxiety with which he laboured to fulfil the task, had the effect of realising his impression. He died within a few days after completing this magnificent piece of music, which was performed at his interment."] "These birds of Paradise but long to flee Back to their native mansion." A REQUIEM!-and for whom? For beauty in its bloom? For valour fallen ?- a broken rose or sword? A dirge for king or chief, With pomp of stately grief, Banner, and torch, and waving plume deplored? Not so-it is not so! The warning voice I know, From other worlds a strange mysterious tone; A solemn funeral air It called me to prepare, And my heart answered secretly—my own! One more, then, one more strain, Mighty the troubled spirit to enthrall! And let me breathe my dower Full into that deep lay-the last of all! The last-and I must go From this bright world below, This realm of sunshine, ringing with sweet sound! Must leave its festal skies, With all their melodies, That ever in my breast glad echoes found! Yet have I known it long : Too restless and too strong Within this clay hath been the o'ermastering flame; Swift thoughts, that came and went Like torrents o'er me sent, Have shaken as a reed my thrilling frame. Like perfumes on the wind, The Beautiful comes floating through my soul; The spirit to detain Of the deep harmonies that past me roll. Therefore disturbing dreams Trouble the secret streams And founts of music that o'erflow my breast; Something far more divine Than may on earth be mine, Haunts my worn heart, and will not let me rest. Shall I then fear the tone That breathes from worlds unknown ?Surely these feverish aspirations there Shall grasp their full desire, And this unsettled fire Burn calmly, brightly, in immortal air. THE IMAGE IN LAVA One more, then, one more strain; A rich, and deep, and passionate farewell! With fear, hope, trembling fraught, 167 THE IMAGE IN LAVA [THE impression of a woman's form, with an infant clasped to her bosom, was found at the uncovering of Herculaneum.] THOU thing of years departed! Since here the mournful seal was set By love and agony ! Temple and tower have mouldered, And childhood's fragile image, Survives the proud memorials reared 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, Haply of that fond bosom On ashes here impressed, Thou wert the only treasure, child! Perchance all vainly lavished And where it trusted, naught remained 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 impassioned grasp. Oh! I could pass all relics Left by the pomps of old, Love! human love! what art thou? Thy print upon the dust Outlives the cities of renown Wherein the mighty trust! Immortal, oh! immortal Thou art, whose earthly glow Hath given these ashes holiness It must, it must be so ! |