Hail to the gentle hearts that deem thy boons Alike, such angel hands may dew with tears The golden-prison'd diamond glowing there! RETROSPECTION. "Oh! what is not a dream by day POE. "OH! what is not a dream by day," When, mem'ry-borne, we roam afar, And watch again the ling'ring ray Of evening's bright and holy star? We turn and fondly watch it glow O'er distant scenes where once we stray'd, On some loved tree its radiance throw, Beneath whose boughs, a child, we play'd; We see it light the quiet lake Where oft we launch'd a fragile barque, And through the ruin'd tower break Piercing each nook so lone and dark; We see our early home again— Its hilly grounds with flowers gay, Its quiet comfort, calm and plain, Lie sleeping 'neath sweet Hesper's ray: Our early playmates, too, are there, Till fancy hath its music caught And echoes back the merry peal, Right jocund, from the care-worn breast That once could Mirth's dominion feel, Though now with settled grief oppress'd : Oh, what is not a dream like this, In some lone hour, when Sorrow's sway Would rob us of all taste of bliss And make us dread the close of day? Why, such a dream may bring us back And lend us wings again to track WOMAN. A FRAGMENT. In her unclaiming gentleness her empire liesUnlimited, and fairer than the sway of kings! See her pure spirit burst its chain and rise, Triumphantly outspread its graceful wings Aloof; yet, bending down, like beaming light, Dispensing influence sweet, and calm, and pure, She seems in Love's imperial robes bedight For conquest arm'd, of victory secure! |