FAIRY FAVOURS And would not fear, at my coming, then The human love for whose founts I yearn. 181 Wouldst thou then read through the hearts of those And learn if the trusted be false or true. Keep, keep the gem, that I still may trust, Leave to the earth its warm sunny smile- Say, then, what boon of my power shall be, Oh! give me no sway o'er the powers unseen, blend ; MEETING OF THE BROTHERS* "His early days Were with him in his heart."-WORDSWORTH. THE Voices of two forest boys, In years when hearts entwine, Had filled with childhood's merry noise To rock and stream that sound was known, The sunny laughter of their eyes Their bounding step had been; But this as day-spring's flush was brief, Alas! 'tis but the withered leaf That wears the enduring hue! For now on manhood's verge they stood, And heard life's thrilling call, As if a silver clarion wooed To some high festival: Founded on a tale in L'Hermite en Italie. MEETING OF THE BROTHERS And parted as young brothers part, They parted. Soon the paths divide And making strangers in their course Met they no more? Once more they met, Though the fierce day was wellnigh past, And the red sunset smiled its last. But as the combat closed, they found The mists o'er boyhood's memory spread The faces of the holy dead Rose as in vanished years; The Rhine, the Rhine, the ever-blest, 183 The soul of childhood's purity And peace might turn again. A ball swept forth-'twas guided well- Happy, yes, happy thus to go! A passing touch of change or chill, And they, between whose severed souls, Once in close union tied, A gulf is set, a current rolls For ever to divide ; Well may they envy such a lot, Whose hearts yearn on-but mingle not. THE SISTERS [THIS ballad was composed for a kind of dramatic recitative, relieved by music.] "I GO, sweet sister! yet, my heart would linger with thee fain, And unto every parting gift some deep remembrance chain: Take, then, the braid of Eastern pearls which once I loved to wear, And with it bind for festal scenes the dark waves of thy hair! THE SISTERS 185 Its pale pure brightness will beseem those raven tresses well, And I shall need such pomp no more in my lone convent-cell." "Oh, speak not thus, my Leonor! why part from kindred love? Through festive scenes, when thou art gone, my steps no more shall move! How could I bear a lonely heart amid a reckless throng? I should but miss earth's dearest voice in every tone of song. Keep, keep the braid of Eastern pearls, or let me proudly twine Its wreath once more around that brow, that queenly brow of thine." "Oh, wouldst thou strive a wounded bird from shelter to detain? Or wouldst thou call a spirit freed to weary life again? Sweet sister! take the golden cross that I have worn so long, And bathed with many a burning tear for secret woe and wrong. It could not still my beating heart! but may it be a sign Of peace and hope, my gentle one! when meekly pressed to thine." "Take back, take back the cross of gold, our mother's gift to thee It would but of this parting hour a bitter token be; |