第3章

类别:其他 作者:George W.Sands字数:17890更新时间:19/01/02 15:00:56
THELOCKOFHAIR。 Itisinsoothalovelytress,Stillcurledinmanyaring,AsglossyastheplumesthatdressTheraven’sjettywing。 Andthebroadandsoul—illuminedbrow,Abovewhosearchitgrew,Waslikethestainlessmountainsnow,Initspurityofhue。 Imindthetime’twasgiventome,Thenight,thehour,thespot; Andtheeyethatpleadedsilently,\"Forgetthegivernot。\" Oh!myriadsofstars,onhigh,Weresmilingsweetlyfair,ButnonewaslovelyastheeyeThatshonebesidemethere! AboveourheadsanancientoakItsstrong,widearmsheldout,Andfromitsrootsafountainbroke,Withatinylaughingshout; AndthefairypeopleofthewildWerebendingtotheirrest,AstrustinglyassleepsthechildUponitsmother’sbreast。 Soft,silverycloudlets,pureandwhite,Alongtheskywerehung,AsifthespiritsofthenightTheirmantlestherehadflung; Andthenthenight—breezepensivelySighedfromitsunseenthrone,Andfaro’erfield,andflower,andtree,Ahallowedlightcamedown。 ButinourbreastswasspringingupAsomethinglovelierfar,Thanfield,ortree,orflow’ret’scup,Orsun,ormoon,orstar! Weheedednotthefountainnear,Itssongofgladnesssinging,Forinourheartsafountmoredear,Andpure,andsweet,wasspringing。 Andshewasonewhomfortune’ssmileHadgladdenedfromherbirth,Yetherhighspiritknewnoguile,Noblotnorstainofearth; AndIwasbutafriendlessboy,Andyetherheartwasmine; Iknewit,andthethoughtwasjoy,Ajoyall,alldivine! FromoutabraidedmassshetookThissinglelockofjet,AndgaveitwiththatpleadinglookWhich,said,\"Donotforget。\" Forget!assoonthewavesthatrollTheocean’scavesabove,Maytelltheirsecrets,asthesoulForgetitsearliestlove。 Ithasbeenwithmenowforyears,Longyearsofcareandstrife,AndshallbewithmetilltimewearsAwaymyweboflife。 Andwhendeath’skeen,resistlessdart,Shallbiditssorrowscease,Thistressshallrestuponmyheart,Itstalismanofpeace。 \"’TwaslittleshethoughtthatIstoodbreathlessbyhersidelisteningtothesongshesangasshesatbythesea’sedge,ponderingsodeeply,uponmetooperhaps,thatthewhitefoamglimmeredonherbrowunheeded。\" Onagh,ThePaleChildoftheBrehonKing。 Shestoodbesidethewidewildsea,Thewindshowledhoarseandhigh,Anddarkclouds,driftingdrearily,Swepto’erthestarlesssky。 Herbreastwaswhiteasmountainsnow,Herlockshunglooseandfree,Thefoamthatglimmeredonherbrow,Wasscarcesopaleasshe。 Shesangamournfulsongoflove,Oftrustinglovebetrayed; Ah,whydidhewhowonher,proveSofaithlesstothemaid? \"Whypinesmyheartsowearily,Whyheavesmyachingbreast,Andwhyissleepsofarfromme,Whenothersareatrest? \"Thou,truantwanderero’erthedeep,Thecauseofallmycares; FortheeatnightIwakeandweep,Whennonemaymarkmytears。 \"Iseekthefestivehallnomore,ItsmirthnomoreIcrave; Myheartislonelyastheshore,Andrestlessasthewave。 \"MysoulhasstruggledtoforgetItssleepless,fatalflame; Iknowthyvowswerefalse,andyetMyloveisstillthesame。 \"Stillo’erthedreamInursedtoowell,Myburstingheartwillyearn; Foreverwithmemustitdwell,—— Oh,wanderer,return!\" Awhitesailflutteredinthewind,Alightbarkskimmedthesea,—— Itcamelikehopeacrossthemind,Asswiftandsilently。 Theshell—strewnbeachthatedgedthemain,Amanlyfootsteppressed; Thewandererhadreturnedagain,—— Themaiden’sheartwasblessed! THEDESERTED。 \"Come,sittheebymysideoncemore,’Tislongsincethuswe’met; Andthoughourdreamofloveiso’er,Itssweetnesslingersyet。 Itstransientdayhaslongbeenpast,Itsflamehasceasedtoburn,—— ButMemoryholdsitsspiritfast,Safeinhersacredurn。 \"Iwillnotchidethywanderings,NoraskwhythoucouldstfleeAheartwhosedeepaffection’sspringsPouredforthsuchloveforthee! Wemaynotcurbtherestlessmind,NorteachthewaywardheartToloveagainstitswill,norbindItwiththechainsofart。 \"Iwouldbuttelltheehow,intearsAndbitterness,mysoulHasyearnedwithdreams,throughlong,long,years,Whichitcouldnotcontrol。 Andhowthethoughtthatclingethto,Andtwinethroundthepast,Foreverinmyheartshallglow,Andbesaveonemylast。 \"Theysaythouhastanother’slove,—— Well,cherishit,butthouItslackofstrengthanddepthwiltprove,Shouldsorrowcloudthybrow。 Thoughshemayownastatelierform,Afairercheekthanmine,Herheartcannotsowellandwarm,Respondeachthrobofthine。\" Herwordsweregentle,buttheirtoneWassadassorrow’ssigh,—— Atear—droptrembledinhisownAshesoughtherdowncasteye。 AchordwasstruckwithinhisbreastThatlonguntouchedhadlain,Oldmemoriesstartedfromtheirrest,—— Themaidwaslovedagain。 Stanzas。 On!therearehoursofsadness,whenthesoul,Tornfromitseverystay,andcrushedbeneathItsmanygriefs,andspurningfaith’scontrol,PantswithanearnestlongingforthedeathWhichwouldforevercloseitsdarkcareer,Withthepaleshroudandtheremorselessbier; Whentheharsh,sterilenothingnessoflife,Firstbreaksuponthehope—deludedbreast,AndtheheartsickenswiththebootlessstrifeThatwringsitschords,andlongstobeatrest; Ev’niftheblowthatfreesitfromdistress,Shouldstrikeitintoutternothingness。 Ah,nothingness!Thethoughtattimeswillcome,ThemindwillwrestlewiththemysteryThatcloudsitsbeing!fromitsclay—madehome,Itsdwellingofam6ment,itwillfleeIntothefardepthsofthevastUNKNOWN,Initsvainsearchingsforth’eternalthroneOfthatOmnipotencewhichgaveitbirth,And,givingitanaturewhichmightsuitAseraph,bounditsdestinytoearth! Andafewyears,inwhichtoeatthefruitOflife’sstrangetree,sobitteratitscore,Thendeath,thequietgrave,sleep,and——whatmore? Whencecamewe?whithergowe?AllisstillAndvoicelessinthepast!AveilisdrawnAcrossthefuture!bylife’smysticrillWesitandponder,watchingforthedawnOfsomeyetunconceived,far—reachingthought,Bywhichournature’ssecretshallbetaught! Whysorrowisourelement——whysinIsnativeinus——bywhatcursewebearAneveraching,crushingvoidwithinOursecretsouls!andwhythelittleshareOfhappinessthatmingleswithourfate,Isofsuchfleeting,transitorydate1 Ourloves!ourhopes!whatarethey?fruitswhichturnToashesonourlips!illusivelightsThatcastamoment’sbrightnesswhiletheyburn,Thendie,andleaveadarknesswhichaffrightsOurspiritswithitsthriceredoubledgloom,Makingtheskyapall——theearthatomb! Andyetthesearethealloflifeforwhich’Tisworththewearingofitschaintoknow,Wealth,fame,andpowerarebuttoys!therich,Thehighandmighty,withthebaseandlow,AlikebeforethereaperDeathmustfall,—— Sobeit!inthegraveisrestforall。 Stanzas。 Whentheleafisonthetree,Andthebirdisinthebower,Andthebutterflyandbee,Bearitstreasuresfromtheflower; Whenthefieldsputonthesheen,Thattoyoung—eyedSpringbelongs; Whenthegrovesandforestsgreen,Echowithathousandsongs; WhenwildBeautywandersforth,Giving,withnostintedcare,Allherlovelinesstoearth,Allhersweetnesstotheair: Thentheheart,withgladnessstirred,Mindfulofitsgriefsnomore,Mountsandcarols,likeabirdWhenthepearlyshoweriso’er! Butthesummer’ssunnyhours,Aswecountthem,passaway; Anditsfairestfruitsandflowers,Arebutfoodforsterndecay。 Thenwithwailings,deepandloud,Likethesea’sinitsunrest,Winterspreadshisicyshroud,O’erthebareearth’sfrozenbreast。 Thusthespirit’searlygladness,Sorrowchillsortimeremoves; Andthesoul,intearsandsadness,Mournsitsperishedjoysandloves。 Hopewillloseitstrustingboldness,Onebyoneitsbeamsdepart,AndDespair,withicy,coldness,Windsitsmantleroundtheheart。 AFTERWITNESSINGADEATH—SCENE。 Presscloseyourlips,Andbowyourheadstoearth,forDeathishere! Markyenothowacrossthateyesoclear,Stealshiseclipse? Amomentmore,Andthequickthrobbingsofherheartshallcease,Herpain—wrungspiritwillobtainrelease,Andallbeo’er! Hush!SealyeupYourgushingtears,forMercy’shandhathshakenHerearth—bondsoff,andfromherliphathtakenGrief’sbittercup。 YeknowthedeadAretheywhorestsecurefromcareandstrife,—— Thattheywhowalkthethornywayoflife,Havetearstoshed。 Yeknowherpray’r,Wasforthequietofthetomb’sdeeprest,—— Love’ssepulchrelaycoldwithinherbreast,Couldpeacedwellthere? Atalesoontold,Isofherlifethestory;shehadloved,Andhewhowonherhearttolove,hadprovedHeartlessandcold。 Layhertorest,Whereshinesandfallsthesummer’ssunanddew; FortheseshouldshineandfallwhereliessotrueAndfondabreast! AfullreleaseFromeverypangisgiventothedead,—— Soonthestoneyeplaceaboveherhead,Writeonly\"Peace。\"* WhenSpringcomesback,Withmusiconherlips,——joyinhereye,—— Hersunnybannerstreamingthroughthesky,—— Flow’rsinhertrack—— Thencomeyehere,Andmusingfromthebusyworldapart,Dropontheturfthatwrapshermoulderingheart,SweetPity’stear。 *ThemosttouchinglybeautifulepitaphIhaveeverread,waswritteninthatoneword,\"Peace。\"Itseemedlikethelastsighofadepartingspirit,overtheclaywhichitwasabouttoabandonforever。 LOVEANDFANCY。 \"Whenever,amidbow’rsofmyrtle,Love,summer—tressedandvernal—eyed,Atmornoreveisseentowander,Adark—hairedgirlisathisside。\" DeLaHogue。 Onemorn,justasdayinthefareastwasbreaking,YoungLove,whoallnighthadbeenrovingabout,Acharmingsiestawasquietlytaking,Hisstrength,byhisrambles,completelywornout。 Roundhisbrowawreath,wovenofeveryflowerThatspringsfromthehillside,orvalley,wasbound; Inhishandwasarosehehadstol’nfromsomebower,Whilehisbowandhisquiverlaynearontheground。 WildFancyjustcamefromherkingdomofdreams,Thebreathoftheopeningdaytoenjoy,AndtocatchthewarmkissofitsfirstgoldenbeamsOnhercheek,caughtaglimpseoftheslumberingboy! Withalight,noiselessstepshedrewneartothesleeper,Andgazedtillhersnowy—breastheavedasoftsigh; Thenshebadesleep’sdullgodbringasounderanddeeperAndheaviertranceforLove’sbeautifuleye。 Thenbacktohershadowykingdomsheflow,Andcalledupthebrightmysticformsshehasthere; Andfillinganurnfromafountainofdew,ShebadethemallstraighttoLove’scouch—siderepair。 Theycame,andstoodround,asherhand,o’erhispillow,Fromachaliceofpearl,poureditsmagicalstream: Whilehisredrosylips,thatnowsighedlikeabillowAtplaywiththebreeze,toldhowsweetwashisdream。 Hedreamedthathesatonashiningthrone,wroughtOfthepurestofgoldthattheearthcouldsupply,Whileatrioofbeautifulmaids,whoeachbroughtAgiftforhisshrine,insuccessionpastby。 FirstFame,withthestepandtheglanceofaqueen,Cameup,andbeforehimbentdownherproudknee,Andheldupagarland,whereonplayedthesheenOfthebeamswhichinsureimmortality! NextWealth,thesternmistressofmen,forwhosesmileTheytoillikethegalleyslave,——broughtinherhandThefairgemsofmanyanoceanisle,Andthediamondsofmanyafaroffland。 AndBeautycametoo,withherblue,laughingeye,Herfairflowinglocks,andhersoftrosycheek,Andredlips,whosesweetsmiletoldsilentlyThetalewhichtheyseemedashamedtospeak。 ’Neaththeshadeofapalmbranchafourthonestoodby,WithlockslikeinhuetothetressesofNight,Withapale,pensivebrow,andadarkdreamyeye,Wherethesoulofsweetsoftnesslaygleaminginlight! ItwasFancy:Lovegazed,andhiseagereyeshoneWithalustreoffeeling,deep,fervent,andsweet; AndhethoughtitwerebettertogiveuphisthroneForaplace,onhisknees,atthecoymaiden’sfeet。 Andfromthatbrighthour,throughcalmandthroughstorm,Throughthesunlightofsummer,andwinter’sdarkreign,Thesetwainhavebeenboundbyties,tenderandwarm,Whichne’erthroughalltimeshallbeseveredagain。 AndeverwhereLoveweaveshisfondwitchery,WillFancytheaidofherbrightnessbestow,Andgivethelovedobject,whateveritbe,Apurer,adearer,aheavenlierglow! LINESWRITTENINAYOUNGLADY’SALBUM ’Tisnotinyouth,whenlifeisnew,whenbuttoliveissweet,WhenPleasurestrewsherstarlikeflow’rsbeneathourcarelessfeet,WhenHope,thathasnotbeendeferred,firstwavesitsgoldenwings,Andcrowdsthedistantfuturewithathousandlovelythings;—— Whenifatransientgriefo’ershadesthespiritforawhile,Themomentarytearthatfallsisfollowedbyasmile; Orifapensivemood,attimes,acrossthebosomsteals,Itscarcelysighs,sogentleisthepensivenessitfeelsItisnotthenthe,restlesssoulwillseekforonewithwhomTosharewhateverlotitbears,itsgladnessoritsgloom,—— Sometrusting,tried,andgentleheart,sometrueandfaithfulbreast,Whereonitspinionsitmayfold,andclaimaplaceofrest。 Butoh!whencomestheicychillthatfreezeso’ertheheart,When,onebyone,thejoysweshared,thehopesweheld,depart; Whenfriends,likeautumn’switheredleaves,havefallenbyourside,Andlife,sopleasantonce,becomesadesertwildandwide;—— Asforherolivebranchthedoveswepto’erthesullenwave,Thatrolledabovetheoldenworld——itsdeath—robeanditsgrave!—— Sowillthespiritsearchtheearthforsomekind,gentleone,Withittoshareherdestiny,andmakeitallherown! TOALADY。 SuggestedByHearingHerVoiceDuringServicesAtChurch。 Atnight,invisions,whenmysouldrewnearTheshadowyconfinesofthespiritland,Wild,wondrousnotesofsonghavemetmyear,Wrungfromtheirharpsbymanyaseraph’shand; Andformsoflight,too,moredivinelyfairThanMercy’smessengertoheartsthatmourn,Onwingsthatmadesweetmusicintheair,Haveroundme,inthosehoursofbliss,beenborne,And,filledwithjoyunutterable,I Havedeemedmyselfabornchildofthesky。 Andoften,too,atsunset’smagichour,Whenmusingbysomesolitarystream,Whilethoughtawokeinitsresistlesspow’r,AndrestlessFancywoveherbrightestdream: Mysterioustongues,thatwerenotoftheearth,HavewhisperedwordswhichImaynotrepeat,—— ButThoughtorFancyne’erhavegivenbirthToformandvoicelikethine,——sofairandsweet! NorhaveIfoundthemwhenmyspirit’sflightHadbornemetothefarshoresofdelight。 Abovethemurmursofanhundredlips,Theyrose,thosesilverytonesofpraiseandpray’r,Softasthelightbreeze,whenAuroratripsTheearth,and,lightingupthedarkenedair,Carolshergreetingstothewakingflow’rs! TheyfelluponmyheartlikesummerrainUponthethirstingfields,——andearlierhours,WhenItoobreathedth’adoringpray’randstrain,Camebackoncemore;thepresentwasbeguiledOfhalfitsgloom,andmywornspiritsmiled。 Pray,lady,thatthesad,soul—searingblight,WhichcomesuponuswhenwetreadthewaysOfsin,maynotbesufferedtoalightOnthypurespiritinitsyouthfuldays; OrlikethefruitageoftheDeadSeashore,Tho’outwardbloomandfreshnessthoumay’stbe,Sternbitternessanddeathwillgnawthycore,Andthouwiltbeaheart—scathedthinglikeme,Bearingtheweightofmanyyears,erethouHastlostyouth’srosycheekandlinelessbrow。 IMPROMPTU,OnTheReceptionOfALetter。 Iwouldlovetohavetheenearme,ButwhenIthinkhowdrearIseachhopethatusedtocheerme,Iceasetowishtheehere。 Iknowthatthou,wouldstnotshrinkfromThestormsthatburstonme,ButthebitterchaliceIdrinkfrom,Iwillnotpasstothee。 Iwouldsharetheworldwiththee,wereitWithallitspleasuresmine,ButthesorrowswhichIinherit,Ineverwillmakethine! THEOLDMANANDTHEBOY。 \"Glenara,Glenara,nowreadmemydream。\" Campbell。 Father,Ihavedreamedadream,WhentherosymorninghourPoureditslightonfieldandstream,Kindlingnaturewithitspow’r;—— O’erthemeadow’sdewybreast,Ihadchasedabutterfly,Temptedbyitsgaudyvest,Stillmyvainpursuittoply,—— Tillmylimbswerewearygrown,WiththedistanceIhadstrayed,ThentorestIlaidmedown,Whereabeechtreecastitsshade,Soonaheavinesscameo’erme,Andadeepsleepsealedmyeyes; Andavisionpastbeforeme,Fullofchangingphantasies。 FirstIstoodbesideabower,Greenassummerbow’rcouldbe; Vineandfruit,andleafandflower,Mixedtoweaveitscanopy。 Andwithinreclinedaform,Asembodiedmoonlightfair,Withasoftcheek,freshandwarm,Deepblueeyeandsunnyhair。 Byhersideagobletstood,Suchasbacchanaliansbrim; Hightherichgrape’scrimsonblood,Sparkledo’eritsgildedrim。 AsIgazed,shebowedherhead,Withagayandgracefulmove,Andinwordsofmusicsaid,\"Drink,andlearntheloreoflove!\" NextIstoodbesideamountain,Ofmajesticformandheight; Cliffandcrag,andglenandfountain,Mingledtomakeupitsmight。 OnitsloftybrowweregrowingFlowersneverchilledbygloom,Fortheskyabovethemglowing,Dyedthemwithadeathlessbloom。 AndIsawthecrystaldome,Wondrousinitsmajesty,Whereearth’sgreatonesfindahome,Whentheirspiritsaresetfree。 Byitsportals,IespiedOnewhokeptthecourtswithin; Highhewavedawreathandcried,\"Comeuphither,——striveandwin!\" Thenmyvisionchangedagain: Inafairy—colouredshell,O’erthewidesea’spathlessplain,Iwasspeeding,fastandwell。 Suddenly,beneathitsprow,Partedweretheazurewaves,AndIsawwhere,farbelow,Yawnthevastdeep’ssecretcaves。 WheretheSyrensingshersong,TooldOcean’ssonsanddaughters; Andthemermaidsdancealong,Tothemusicofthewaters。 Wherethecoralforesto’er,Stormortempestne’erisdrivenAndthegemsthatstrewitsfloor,Sparklelikethestarsinheaven。 Treasures,suchasnevereyeOftheearthhaslookedupon,Goldandpearlsofmanyadye,Thereinrichprofusionshone。 Andavoicecametomyear,Saying,inastern,coldtone,Suchaschillstheheartwithfear,\"Seizeandmaketheprizethineown。\" Thenacrossacloudedwild,Loneanddrearanddesolate,Wherenocheerfulcottagesmiled,Ipursuedthestepsoffate。 Everbearinginmybreast,Thoughtsalmosttomadnesswrought; Ever,everseekingrest,NeverfindingwhatISought—— TillIgavemywanderingso’er,Byablackandicystream,—— DeepIplungedandknewnomore:—— Father,readmenowmydream。 Theoldmanbowedhishead,Andpressedhisthinhandtohiswitheredbrow,AsifhestruggledwithsomerisingthoughtWhichshouldhavekeptitsplaceinmemory’surnTillhehadcasttheshadowfromhissoul,WhichforawhilehadbounditinaspellBornofthebygoneyears,——thenthushespoke: Nowlisten,boy,andIwillshowtotheeTheimportofthyvision,——IwilltellTheewhatitsscenesandshapesofmysteryForeshadowofthefuture,——forfullwellIknowthewizardlore,whosewitcheryBindse’enthetimetocomeinitswildspell! AndfromapproachingyearsaknowledgewringsOfwhattheybearupontheirviewlesswings。 Alonglife’swearywayofpainandcare,Fromearliestinfancytoeldestage,Forms,viewlessasthesoft—breathedsummerair,Attendman’sfootstepsinhispilgrimage; Andifhisdestinybedarkorfair,IfPleasuregilds,orSorrowblotsthepageWhereonistracedhishistory,stillhisearWillevercatchtheirwarningvoicesnear。 Andthey——thoseguardianones,who,whilethysleepHungo’ertheelikeacurtain,camearoundAndfannedtheetillthyslumbergrewmoredeep,—— Flungo’erthyrest,soperfectandprofound,Adreamwhosemem’rythousbouldsteverkeepBoundtothyspirit,foraltho’itwound,Thyyoungheartnow,perchance,inafteryears,’Twillsavetheemuchoftoil,andmanytears。 Itwasadreamoflife:ofboyhood’sstrongAndsoul—consumingyearningsafterlove! Hiseagersearchtofind,amidthethrong,Somehearttogivehimthoughtforthought——tomoveAndminglewithhisown,astwinesthesongFromBeauty’slyreandlips!toknowandproveThedearestjoytocare—cursedmortalsgiven,Theonewithleastofearth,andmostofheavenOfmanhood’sceaselessstrivingsafterfame,—— Theveriestphantomofallphantasies—— Forwhichhewieldsthesword,orlightstheflameWhoseredglaremocksanation’sagonies,—— Orbyhisstar—outwatchingtaper,pliesHispenorpencil,togain——what?aname,Apassingsound——anecho——amerebreath,Whichhe,vainfool,dreamsmightierthandeath! Andofalaterperiod,whenthesoulForsakesitshighresolvesandwilddesires,WhensternAmbitioncannomorecontrol,AndLovehasshroudedo’eritssmotheredfires; WhenExpectationceasestoconsole,AndHope,thelastkindcomforter,expires; AndAvarice,monsterofthegildedvest,Creepsinandoccupiesthevacantbreast。 Andthenthelastsadscene:Thesickheart,soreAndfaintingfromitswounds——thepalsiedlimb—— Thebrowwhosedeath—sweatpeepsfromeverypore—— Theeyewithitslong,wearywatchgrowndim—— Thewithered,wancheek,thatshallbloomnomore—— ThelastdregsdrippingslowlyfromthebrimOflife’sdrainedcup,——behindallgloom,beforeAdeep,darkgulf——weplunge,andalliso’er! ACLEATTHEGRAYEOFNERO。 ItisacircumstanceconnectedwiththehistoryofNero,thateveryspringandsummer,formanyyearsafterhisdeath,freshandbeautifulflowerswerenightlyscattereduponhisgravebysomeunknownhand。 TraditionrelatesthatitwasdonebyayoungmaidenofCorinth,namedAcle,whomNerohadbroughttoRomefromhernativecity,whitherhehadgoneinthedisguiseofanartist,tocontendintheNemean,Isthinian,andFloralgames,celebratedthere;andwhencehereturnedconquerorinthePalaestra,thechariotrace,andthesong;bearingwithhim,likeJasonofold,asecondMedea,divineinformandfeatureasthefirst,andwholikeherhadleftfather,friends,andcountry,tofollowastranger。 Eventheworsethansavagebarbarityofthissanguinarytyrant,hadnotcuthimofffromallhumanaffection;andthoseflowersweredoubtlessthetributeofthatyounggirl’sholyandenduringlove! Whosenameisonyonletteredstone?whoseashesrestbeneath? Thatthusyoucomewithflowerstodeckthemournfulhomeofdeath; Andthou——whydarkenssothybrowwithgrief’suntimelygloom? Thouartfitterforabridethanforawatcherbythetomb! \"Itisthenameofonewhosedeedsmademengrowpalewithfear,AndNero’s,stranger,isthedustthatliessepulchredhere; Thatnamemaybeawordofharshandbodingsoundtothee,Butoh!ithasamorethanmortalmelodyforme! \"AndI,——myhearthasgrowntoageingirlhood’sfleetingyears,Andhasoneonlytask——tobatheitsburiedloveintears; Thealloflifethatyetremainstomeisbutitsbreath; Thentellme,isitmeetthatIshouldseekthebridalwreath?\" Butmaiden,heofwhomyonspeakwasofasavagemood,Thattookitsjoyaloneinscenes,ofcarnage,tearsandblood; Hisdark,wildspiritborethestainofcrime’smostloathsomehue,Andloveisforthehighofsoul——thegentleandthetrue。 \"Thevoicethattaughtanabjectworldtotrembleatitswords,Tomewasmildandmusical,andmellowasabird’s—— Abird’s——thatcouchedamongthegreen,broadbranchesofthedate,Tells,initssilverysongs,itsgushinggladnesstoitsmate。 \"Isawhimfirstbesidethesea;neartorayfather’shome,Whenlikeanoceandeityheboundedfromthefoam; Ev’nthenagloryseemedtobreathearoundhimashetrod,Andmyhaughtysoulwasbowed,asinthepresenceofaGod。 Iknewnot,tillmyheartwashis,thedarknessofhisown,Nordreamedthathewhoknelttomewasmasterofathrone! Andwhenthefearfulknowledgecame,itscomingwasinvain,—— Ihadforsakenallforhim,andwoulddosoagain。\" Islovetheoffspringofthewill?orisit,likeaflower,Sofrailthatitmayfadeandbeforgotteninanhour? No,no!itspringsunbiddenwheretheheart’sdeepfountainsplay,Andcherishedbytheirhalloweddew,itcannotpassaway! THEVENETIANGIRL’SEVENINGSONG。 Unmoortheskiff,——unmoortheskiff,—— Thenightwind’ssighisontheair,Ando’erthehighestAlpinecliff,Thepalemoonrises,broadandclear。 Themurmuringwavesaretranquilnow,AndontheirbreasteachtwinklingstarWithwhichNightgemsherduskybrow,Flingsitsmildradiancefromafar。 Putoffuponthedeepbluesea,Andleavethebanquetandtheball; Forsolitude,whensharedwiththee,Isdearerthanthecarnival。 Andinmyheartarethoughtsoflove,Suchthoughtsaslipsshouldonlybreathe,Whenthebrightstarskeepwatchabove,Andthecalmwaterssleepbeneath! ThetaleIhaveforthee,perchance,MaytothineeyeanewimpartThelong—lostgladnessofitsglance,Andsoothethesorrowsofthyheart; Come,Iwillsingfortheeagain,Thesongswhichonceourmotherssung,EretyrannyitsgallingchainOnthem,andthosetheyloved,hadhung。 Thou’rtsad;thousay’stthatinthehallsWhichechoedonceourfather’stread,Thestranger’sidlefootstepfalls,Withsoundthatmightawakethedead! Themightydead!whosedustaroundAnatmosphereofreverencesheds; Ifaughtofearthlyvoiceorsound,Mightreachthemintheirmarblebeds。 Thatshetowhomthedeepgavebirth,—— FairVenice!towhosequeenlystoresThewealthandbeautyoftheearthWerewaftedfromanhundredshores! Nowonherwave—girtsite,forlorn,Sitsshroudedinaffliction’snight,—— Theobjectofthetyrant’sscorn,Sadmonumentoffallenmight。 Well,tho’inherdesertedhallsThefireonFreedom’sshrineisdead,Tho’o’erherdarkened,crumblingwalls,SternDesolation’spallisspread; Isnotthesecondbetterpart,Tothatwhichrendsthedespot’schain,Towearitwithadauntlessheart,Tofeelyetshrinknotfromitspain? ThenletthecreepingivytwineItswreathsabouteachruinedarch,TillTimeshallcrushtheminthebrine,Beneathitsall—triumphantmarch! ThenlettheswellingwaterscloseAbovethesea—child’ssinkingframe,Andhideforeverfromherfoes,Eachtraceandvestigeofhershame。 Shallweatlastlesscalmlysleep,Wheninthenarrowdeath—housepent,BecausethebosomofthedeepShallbeouronlymonument? No!bythewasteofwatersbid,Ourtombsaswellshallkeeptheirtrust,Astho’amarblepyramidWerepiledaboveourmangleddust! WrittenintheNationalGallery,atthecityofWashington,onlookingataMummy,supposedtohavebelongedtoaraceextinctbeforetheoccupationoftheWesternContinentbythepeopleinwhosepossessiontheEuropeansfoundit。 SoleandmysteriousrelicofaraceThatlonghasceasedtobe,whoseveryname,Time,everbearingonwithsteadypace,Hassweptawayfromearth,leavingthyframe,Darkenedbythirtycenturies,toclaim,Amongtherecordsofthethingsthatwere,Itsplace,——Traditionhasforgotthee——Fame,Ifeverfamewasthine,hasceasedtobearHerrecordofthee,——say,whatdostthouhere? Threethousandyearsagoamother’sarmsWerewrappedaboutthatdarkandghastlyform,Andallthelovelinessofchildhood’scharmsGlowedonthatcheek,withlifethenflushedandwarm; Say,whatpreservedtheefromthehungrywormThathauntswithgnawingtooththegloomybedSpreadforthelifeless?TellwhatcoulddisarmDecayofhalfitspower,andwhileitfedOnempires——races——makeitsparethedead! Howstrangetocontemplatethewondrousstory,Whenthosedeepsunkeneyesfirstsawthelight,LostBabylonwasinhermiddayglory,—— Uponherprideandpowerhadfall’nnoblight; AndTyre,theancientmariner’sdelight,Whosemerchantmenwereprinces,andwhosenameWasthemeofpraisetoall,haslefthersiteToutterbarrennakednessandshame,—— Yetthou,amidallchange,artstillthesame。 Andshewho,bythe\"yellowTiber’s\"side,Sitswrappedinherdarkveilofwidowhood,Withscarceaglimmerofherancientpride,TocheerthegloomofthatdeepsolitudeWhicho’ertheseatofvanquishedpow’rdothbrood,Sincethouwastbornhasseenhergloriesrise,Burn,andexpire!quenchedbythestreamsofbloodWhichherslavesdrewfromherownveins,thepriceOfusurpation,proudAmbition’ssacrifice! Anddarkerinherfate,andsadderstill,Thesacredcityoftheminstrelking,ThatproudlysatonZion’sholyhill,Thewonderoftheworld!Destruction’swingHathfromherswepteachfairandgoodlything; Herpalacesandtemples!wherearethey? Herwallsandmarbletow’rsliemouldering,Herglorytothespoiler’shandaprey,—— Andyettimesparesaportionofthyclay! Andthouarthereamidastrangerrace,Towhomtheseshoresfourcenturiesago,Tho’nowproudFreedom’sboasteddwelling—place,Wereallunknown;thewidestreamsthatnowflowWhereCultivation’shandhassteeredherplough,HadthenbutseentheforesthuntsmanguideHislightcanoeacrossthewaveswhichnowReflectthesnowysailsthatwaftinprideThestatelyshipalongtheirripplingtide。 Thouartthesilentmessengerofages,SentbacktotreadwithTimehisconstantway,Toshamethewisdomofconceitedsages,Whoseloreisbutathingofyesterday; Whatwouldtheirbest,theirbrightestvisionsweighBesidethefearfultruthsthoucouldstreveal? ThesecretsofeternitynowlayUnveiledbeforethee,andforweorweal,Thydoomisfixedbeyondev’nheaven’srepeal。 IwillnotasktheeofthemysteriesThatliebeyondDeath’sshadowyvale;butthouMaysttellusofthefatetheDestiniesWoveforthineearthlysojourn。WasthybrowGracedwiththepoet’s,hero’sgarland?HowDealtFortunewiththee?DidshecurseorblessTheewithherfrownorsmile?Speak!thouartnowAmongtheliving,——theyaroundtheepress。 Stillsilent?Thenthylotwecanbutguess。 Perhapsthouwastamonarch,andhastwornThesceptreofsomerealElDorado! Perhapsawarrior,andthosearmshaveborneTheforemostshield,anddealtthedeadliestblowThatdrewthelife—bloodofawarringfoe! Perhapsthouwor’stthecourtier’sgildedthrall,—— Someglitteringcourt’sgay,proudpapilio! Perchanceaclown,thejesterofsomehall,Theslaveofoneman,andthefoolofall! Ohlife!andpride!andhonour!comeandseeTowhatadepthyourvisionstumbledown! Beholdyourwearer,——whoshallsayifheWeremonarch,warrior,parasite,orclown! Andye,whotalkofgloryandrenown,Andcallthembrightanddeathless!andwhobreakEachdearertietograspfame’sgildedcrown,Come,hearinstructionfromthisshadowspeak,Andlearnhowvaluelesstheprizeyeseek! Seewhereambition’sloftiestflightdothtend,Beholdthedoomperhapsofblood—boughtfame,Andknowthatallwhichearthcangivemustend,Industandashes,andanemptyname! Yepassions!whichdefyourpow’rtotameOrcurbyourheadlongtides,beholdyourhome! Love!seethebreastwherethoudidstlightthyflame! Immortalspirit!seethyshattereddome! Whenshallitshourofrenovationcome? Shalllifepossess,andbeautydeckagainThatwitheredform,andfoulandduskycheek? WillDeathresignhisdullandfrozenreign,AndtheimmortalsoulreturntoseekHerlong—deserteddwelling,andtobreakThebondagewhichhasheldinicychainsAllthatwasmortalofthee?willshemakeHerhomeinthee,andshallthesepoorremainsSharewithherheaven’spleasuresorhell’spains? Wonderofwonders!whocouldlookontheeAndafterwardsurveywithcuriouseyeThemoulderingshrineswheredupeshavebenttheknee,Wheresuperstition,byhypocrisyNurturedandfedwithtalesofmystery,Hasoftwithtimidfootsteptremblingtrod,—— Alltheseareworsethannothing;comeandseeWhereonceadeathlesssoulhelditsabode,—— ThewreckedandruinedpalaceofaGod! Farewell!Notidlyhasthishourbeenspent。 ThysilentteachingsImaynotforget,—— Moredeeply,strangely,trulyeloquent,ThanallthebabbledwordswhicheveryetHavefall’nfromlivinglips,——theyshallbesetWiththebrightgemswhichWisdomlovestokeep; Andwhenmyspiritagainstfatewouldfret,Myeyesshallturntotheeandceasetoweep,TillItoosleepdeath’sdeepanddreamlesssleep! TOISABEL。 Comenearmewiththylips,and,breatheo’ermineTheirbreath,forIconsumewithlove’sdesire,—— Thineivoryarmsaboutmeclaspandtwine,Andbeamuponmineeyethineeye’ssoftfire; Claspmeyetcloser,tillmyheartfeelsthineThrill,asthechordsofMemnon’smysticlyreThrilledatthesun’suprising!thouwhoartThelone,theworshippedidolofmyheart! There!balmierthanthesouthwind,whenitbringsThescentofaromaticshrubandtree,Andtropicfloweronifsglowingwings,Thineodorousbreathiswaftedoverme; Howtothydewylipsmineownlipclings,Andmywholebeingisabsorbedinthee; AndinmybreastthineeyeshavelitafireThatnever,never,nevershallexpire! Eternal——isitnoteternal——thisOurpassionatelove?whatpow’rshallpartustwain? NotevenDeath!LifecouldbestownoblissLikedeathwiththee,andIwouldrenditschainIfthoushouldstperish,formyheavenisTogazeuponthee!IcouldbearallpainUnsighing,sonotpartedfromthyside,Mybeautiful!myspirit’schosenbride! Theytrytowoomefromthyfondembrace,Toluremefromthelightofthosedeareyes; Theytellmethatinfortune’sarduouschase,Ihavesuchfleetnessaswouldwintheprize;—— Butallthepompsofcircumstanceandplace,Aglance,aword,asmileofthineoutvies! LeaveFortunetoherparasites!minebeTheblessedlottodwellwithloveandthee。 Toleadtheeonthroughlife,andtoenlargeThysoulwithaddedknowledge,daybyday,Toguardthee,asanangelguardshischarge,Fromeveryillthatlurksalongtheway! Tosmooththatruggedway,andstrewitsmargeWiththebrightflowrsthatnevercandecay,—— Thiswerealottooglorious,toodivine,AndyetHopewhispersthatitshallbemine。 Nowlisten,love,——thisplanshallrulemylifeAndthine:——Insomeremoteandsunnydell,Farfromthecrowdedcity’ssillystrife,Myhandsshallrearthehomewherewewilldwell; Shalltillthesoil,withfertilefruitagerife,Andteachthegoldeneartoshootandswell; AndmysolewishedforrecompenseshallbeMyevergrowing,deep’ningloveforthee。 Thytaskshallbetotrainthetrailingvine,Towatch,andcherishinitsgrowth,theflow’rWhosebreathandcheekaresweetandfairasthine; Toblessandbrightenthedomesticbow’rWherewewillbuildtoLoveahallowedshrine,Andbowus,inhisworship,everyhour; Till,chastenedbythysmile,myhearthasgrownAspure,andsoft,andsinlessasthineown。 Oh,hasten,love!torealizethedream,—— Comefromtheworld,——thecrowdisnotforthee; Forsakeitthen,erethecontagioussteamOfitsfoulbreathhassoiledthypurity;—— Come,formyheartwouldburstcouldIbutdeemThatsuchastheyare,thoucouldsteverbe! Come,formysouladorestheewithaloveAsburningastheseraphsfeelabove。 TheselinesareinscribedtothememoryofJohnQ。Carlin,killedatBuenaVista。 Warrioroftheyouthfulbrow,Eagerheartandeagleeye! Pantsthysoulforbattlenow? Burnsthyglancewithvictory? Dostthoudreamofconflictsdone,Perilspastandtrophieswon? Andanation’sgratefulpraiseGiventothineafterdays? Bloodlessisthycheek,andcoldAstheclayuponitprest; Andinmanyaslimyfold,Windsthegrave—wormroundthybreast。 Thouwiltjointhefightnomore,—— Glory’sdreamwiththeeiso’er,—— AndalikearenowtotheeGreatnessandobscurity。 Butaneversunnysky,O’erthyplaceofrestisbending; Andabovethygrave,andnigh,Flowerseverbrightareblending。 O’erthydreamless,calmrepose,Balmilythesouthwindblows,—— Withthegreenturfonthybreast,Restthee,youthfulwarrior,rest! Whenthealarumfirstwassounded,Marshallinginarmsthebrave,Forththyfearlessspiritbounded,Toobtainthee——what?Agrave! Famehadwhisperedinthineear,Wordsthehigh—souledlovetohear,—— ButtheruthlesshandofdeathFromtheesnatchedthehero’swreath。 Oftenwillthegrief—shadestartO’erthysister’smoodofjoy,Vainlywillthymother’sheartYearntogreetherabsentboy; Neversister’slipshallpressOnthineownitsfondcaress,—— Nevermoreamother’seyeFlashinpridewhenthouartby! Wheretheorange,bendinglowlyWithitsgoldenfruit,isswaying; AndtheIndianmaiden,slowlyByhernativestreamisstraying; O’erthydreamless,calmrepose,BalmilytheSouthwindblows,—— Withthegreenturfonthybreast,Restthee,youthfulwarrior,rest! ALEGENDOFTHEHARTZ。 Manyagesago,nearthehighHartz,theredweltAruderaceofblood—lovinggiants,whofeltNojoybutthefierceonewhichCarnagebestows,Whenherfoullipsarecloggedwiththebloodofherfoes。 AndfiercerandbolderthanalloftherestWasBohdo,(1)theirchieftain;——’twasstrangethatabreast,Whichnothinglikekindnessorpitymightmove,Shouldglowwiththewarmthandtheraptureoflove。 Yetheloved,andthepalemountain—monarch’sfairchildWasthemaidofhisheart;buttho’burningandwildWasthelovethatheboreher,itwonnoreturn,Andtheflamethatconsumedhimwasansweredwithscorn。 Nowtheladyisgonewithhersteedtotheplain,—— Savethefalconandhoundthereisnoneinhertrain; Sheneedsnonetoguide,ortoguardherfromharmThere’snofearinherheart,thereisstrengthinherarm。 Fromherwhitewristunhoodedherfalconshethrew,HerbowlikeDiana,thehuntress,shedrew; Andfleetasthefetterlessbirdsweptthesky,Soonherproudsteedsweptthefairladyby。 Seehowhereyesparkles,andhowhercheekglows,Asonwardsofearlessandproudlyshegoes,Withherlocksstreamingbacklikeabannerofgold,Wereshenot,say,abridemeetforNimrod(2)ofold? Andhesawher——thechief,fromhistowerafar—— Assheglancedo’ertheearthlikesomewanderingstar; Andhesworesheshouldcomeinthattowertodwell,Orhissoulbeaprizetothespiritsofhell。 Hiswar—horsehemounted,and,swiftastheshootOfthenight—gatheredmeteor,hespedinpursuit,—— Breathingout,ashewent,madwithloveandwithhate,Bittercurseuponcurseagainstheavenandfate。 Urgingonhisfleetcourserwithspurandwithrein,Heswepto’ertheearthasthestormsweepstheplain,—— Andthefairladyknew,bythegleamofhisshield,ItwasBohdo,thescourgeoftheredbattlefield! Thenspurredshehersteedovervalleyandhill,Overrock,marshandmoor,overriverandrill,Yetstillhereyesparkled,andstillhercheekglowed,Asonwardsofleetlyandbravelysherode。 ThusoverThuringiaspedsheaway,Withthespeedofthehawkwhenhedartsonhisprey,—— Oranarrowletloosefromawarrior’sbow,Whenitspeedswithsureaimtotheheartofhisfoe。 ThentheHartz,thewildHartz——theterrific——theproud! Wherethemist—spiritdwellsinhispalaceofcloud! Wheretheevilonesgatherinenviouswrath,Toblightandtoblast,——toweredupinherpath。 Stillhercheekkeptitsglow,stillhereyeflashedinpride,Asonwardsheflewupthesteepmountainside; Andfierceasthetempest,andfleetasthewind,SternBohdo,theruthless,stillfollowedbehind。 Toafearfulabyss,whoseunhallowedname(3) Bythepowersofdarknesswasgiven,shecame,Andthewhirlpool’swildvoice,fromthedarkgulfbelow,Cameuplikethewailofasoulinitswe。 Beyondrosetherockyshelf,barrenandbare,Beneathlaythewhirlpool,aroundherdespair,Behindhercameone,sweepingoninthechase,Whosegraspwasmoredreadedthandeath’scoldembrace。 Thenshecalledonthespiritswhowatchroundthebrave,Inperiltonerve,toassistandtosave,Closedcalmlyhereyes,asonesinkinginsleep,Andurgedherproudsteedtotheterribleleap! Amomentitpausedonthehighprecipice,Thensprang,boldlysprang,o’erthefrightfulabyss! AndstruckitsfirmhoofintherocktillthesoundShookthehills,andthesparksflewlikelightningaround! Andthefoot—printitlefthasremainedtothisday,Andnorain—floodortempestshallwearitaway; Shewassaved——thebraveEmmawassaved——buthercrown,Fromherfairbrowunloosed,inthewhirlpoolsankdown。 On,oncamethechief,inhisfiercenessandwrath,Norsawhethewidegulfthatyawnedinhispath,—— Andsoon,inthedepthsofitsfathomlesstide,Thewarriorandwar—steedwerelaidsidebyside。 Andthemountaineertellshowinsullendespair,Hisghost,imannealedofitssins,lingersthere; Everwatching,pale,silent,untiring,unmoved,Thebrightgoldencrownofthemaidenheloved。 Adiveronce,luredbythewealthoftheprize,Soughtoutthedeepcavewhereitlay,andstilllies,Andwhere,chainedbyaspirit—breathedspell,itshallstay,Tillthewhirlpoolandmountainalikepassaway。 Twiceherosewiththecrown,tillitsgleamingpointsblazedOntheeyesofthewonderingthousandswhogazed,Twiceitfellfromhisgrasp,andsankquicklyagainTothebedwhereforyearsundisturbedithadlain。 Hefollowed,——thiseffortthetreasuremayearn—— Butvainlytheywatchwhoawaithisreturn; Aredhueofbloodtingedthedeepwaterso’er,Butthedivercameupfromtheirdarkdepthsnomore。 1。Bohdo。Thishero,ashischaracterisdrawnintheoriginallegend,ortradition,fromwhichthematerialoftheseverseswastaken(atraditionwhichgivesthepopularaccountoftheformationofanimmensemarkorcavityinarock,calledthe\"Rosstrappe\"or\"Horse’sfootstep,\")isworthyofbeingenrolledamongOdin’sBerserker。 2。Nimrod。\"AmightyhunterbeforetheLord。\"HebuiltBabylonandfoundedthatroyallinewhichterminatedwiththedeathofSardanapalus;whosegentlenessandaversiontobloodspilling,togetherwithhispassionforhis\"IonianMyrrha,\"costhimanempire,andgainedhimanimmortality。 3。\"Itwasnamed,\"saysthetradition,\"TheDevil’sdancing—place,fromthetriumphthereofthespiritsofhell。\"