Oh lady! thou, who in the olden time Hadst been the star of many a poet’s dream! Thou, who unto a mind of mould sublime, Weddest the gentle graces that beseem Fair woman’s best! forgive the darling line That falters forth thy praise! nor let thine eye Glance o’er the vain attempt too scornfully; But, as thou read’st, think what a love was mine, That made me venture on a theme, that none Can know thee, and not feel a hopeless one. Thou art most fair, though sorrow’s chastening wing Hath past, and left its shadow on thy brow, And solemn thoughts are gently mellowing The splendour of thy beauty’s summer now. Thou art most fair! but thine is loveliness That dwells not only on the lip, or eye; Thy beauty, is thy pure heart’s holiness; Thy grace, thy lofty spirit’s majesty. While thus I gaze on thee, and watch thee glide, Like some calm spirit o’er life’s troubled stream, With thy twin buds of beauty by thy side Together blossoming; I almost deem That I behold the loveliness and truth, That like fair visions hovered round my youth, Long sought—and then forgotten as a dream.

A WISH

Let me not die for ever when I’m laid In the cold earth! but let my memory Live still among ye, like the evening shade, That o’er the sinking day steals placidly. Let me not be forgotten! though the knell Has tolled for me its solemn lullaby; Let me not be forgotten! though I dwell For ever now in death’s obscurity. Yet oh! upon the emblazoned leaf of fame, Trace not a record, not a line for me, But let the lips I loved oft breathe my name, And in your hearts enshrine my memory!

A SPIRIT’S VOICE

It is the dawn! the rosy day awakes; From her bright hair pale showers of dew she shakes, And through the heavens her early pathway takes; Why art thou sleeping? It is the noon! the sun looks laughing down On hamlet still, on busy shore, and town, On forest glade, and deep dark waters lone; Why art thou sleeping? It is the sunset! daylight’s crimson veil Floats o’er the mountain tops, while twilight pale Calls up her vaporous shrouds from every vale; Why art thou sleeping? It is the night! o’er the moon’s livid brow, Like shadowy locks, the clouds their darkness throw, All evil spirits wake to wander now; Why art thou sleeping?

TO THE DEAD

On the lone waters’ shore Wander I yet; Brooding those moments o’er I should forget. ’Till the broad foaming surge Warns me to fly, While despair’s whispers urge To stay and die. When the night’s solemn watch Falls on the seas, ’Tis thy voice that I catch In the low breeze; When the moon sheds her light On things below, Beams not her ray so bright, Like thy young brow? Spirit immortal! say, When wilt thou come, To marshal me the way To my long home?

SONG

I sing the yellow leaf, That rustling strews The wintry path, where grief Delights to muse, Spring’s early violet, that sweetly opes Its fragrant leaves to the young morning’s kiss, Type of our youth’s fond dreams, and cherished hopes, Will soon be this: A sere and yellow leaf, That rustling strews The wintry path, where grief Delights to muse. The summer’s rose, in whose rich hues we read Pleasure’s gay bloom, and love’s enchanting bliss, And glory’s laurel, waving o’er the dead, Will soon be this: A sere and yellow leaf, That rustling strews The wintry path, where grief Delights to muse.

TO THOMAS MOORE, Esq

Here’s a health to thee, Bard of Erin! To the goblet’s brim we will fill; For all that to life is endearing, Thy strains have made dearer still! Wherever fond woman’s eyes eclipse The midnight moon’s soft ray; Whenever around dear woman’s lips, The smiles of affection play: We will drink to thee, Bard of Erin! To the goblet’s brim we will fill, For all that to life is endearing, Thy strains have made dearer still! Wherever the warrior’s sword is bound With the laurel of victory, Wherever the patriot’s brow is crowned With the halo of liberty: We will drink to thee, Bard of Erin! To the goblet’s brim we will fill; For all that to life is endearing Thy strains have made dearer still! Wherever the voice of mirth hath rung, On the listening ear of night, Wherever the soul of wit hath flung Its flashes of vivid light: We will drink to thee, Bard of Erin! To the goblet’s brim we will fill; For all that to life is endearing, In thy strains is dearer still.

A WISH

Oh! that I were a fairy sprite, to wander In forest paths, o’erarched with oak and beech; Where the sun’s yellow light, in slanting rays, Sleeps on the dewy moss: what time the breath Of early morn stirs the white hawthorn boughs, And fills the air with showers of snowy blossoms. Or lie at sunset ’mid the purple heather, Listening the silver music that rings out From the pale mountain bells, swayed by the wind. Or sit in rocky clefts above the sea, While one by one the evening stars shine forth Among the gathering clouds, that strew the heavens Like floating purple wreaths of mournful nightshade!

Страница 3 из 17

Назад 1 2 3 4…17 Далее