III. MORNING AFTER THE GALE. Bravely our trim ship rode the tempest through; And, when the exhausted gale had ceased to rave, How broke the day-star on the gazer's view! How flush'd the orient every crested wave! The sun threw down his shield of golden light In fierce defiance on the ocean's bed; Whereat, the clouds betook themselves to flight, Like routed hosts, with banners soil'd and red. The sky was soon all brilliance, east and west; All traces of the gale had pass'd awayThe chiming billows, by the breeze caress'd, Toss'd lightly from their heads the feathery spray. Ah! thus may Hope's auspicious star again Rise o'er the troubled soul where gloom and grief have been! IV. TO A LAND-BIRD. Thou wanderer from green fields and leafy nooks! Where blooms the flower and toils the honey-bee; Where odorous blossoms drift along the brooks, And woods and hills are very fair to seeWhy hast thou left thy native bough to roam, With drooping wing, far o'er the briny billow? Thou canst not, like the osprey, cleave the foam, Nor, like the petrel, make the wave thy pillow. Thou'rt like those fine-toned spirits, gentle bird, Which, from some better land, to this rude life Seem borne-they struggle, mid the common herd, With powers unfitted for the selfish strife! Haply, at length, some zephyr wafts them back To their own home of peace, across the world's dull track. V.-A THOUGHT OF THE PAST. I woke from slumber at the dead of night, VI. TROPICAL WEATHER. We are afloat upon the tropic sea! VIL-A CALM. O! for one draught of cooling northern air! That it might pour its freshness on me now; That it might kiss my cheek and cleave my hair, And part its currents round my fever'd brow! Ocean, and sky, and earth! a blistering calm Spread over all! how weary wears the day! O, lift the wave, and bend the distant palm, Breeze! wheresoe'er thy lagging pinions stray, Triumphant burst upon the level deep, Rock the fix'd hull and swell the clinging sail! Arouse the opal clouds that o'er us sleep, Sound thy shrill whistle! we will bid thee hail! Though wrapt in all the storm-clouds of the north, Yet from thy home of ice, come forth, O, breeze, come forth! VIII-A WISH. That I were in some forest's green retreat, Beneath a towering arch of proud old elms; Where a clear streamlet gurgled at my feetIts wavelets glittering in their tiny helms! Thick clustering vines, in many a rich festoon, From the high, rustling branches should depend; Weaving a net, through which the sultry noon Might stoop in vain its fiery beams to send. There, prostrate on some rock's gray sloping side, Upon whose tinted moss the dew yet lay, Would I catch glimpses of the clouds that ride Athwart the sky-and dream the hours away; While through the alleys of the sunless wood The fanning breeze might steal, with wild-flowers' breath imbued. IX. TROPICAL NIGHT. But, O! the night!-the cool, luxurious night, Which closes round us when the day grows dim, And the sun sinks from his meridian height Behind the ocean's occidental rim! Clouds, in thin streaks of purple, green, and red. Lattice his parting glory, and absorb The last bright emanations that are shed In wide profusion, from his failing orb. And now the moon, her lids unclosing, deigns To smile serenely on the charmed sen, That shines as if inlaid with lightning-chains, From which it hardly struggled to be free. Swan-like, with motion unperceived, we glide, Touch'd by the downy breeze, and favour'd by the tide. X. THE PLANET JUPITER. Ever, at night, have I look'd first for thee, O'er all thy astral sisterhood supreme! Ever, at night, have I look'd up to see The diamond lustre of thy quivering beam; Shining sometimes through pillowy clouds serene. As they part from thee, like a loosen'd scroll; Sometimes unveil'd, in all thy native sheen. When no pale vapours underneath thee roll. Bright planet! that art but a single ray From our Creator's throne, illume my soul' Thy influence shed upon my doubtful way Through life's dark vista to the immortal goalGleam but as now upon my dying eyes shall rise. And hope, from earth to thee, from thee to heaven XI. TO EGERIA. EPES SARGENT. Leagues of blue ocean are between us spread; He cannot know what rocks and quicksands may XII-CUBA. What sounds arouse me from my slumbers light? THE DAYS THAT ARE PAST. We will not deplore them, the days that are past; We have lived till we find them illusive as dreams; And the steps we have climb'd have departed like Yet shall we despond while of health unbereft, Ir. our spirits the impulse of gladness and praise? But, by faith unforsaken, unawed by mischance, THE MARTYR OF THE ARENA Who at mercy's call has nobly died! Bright the sky above, and soft the air! His eulogium to the future years! Not the chief who leaves a people free, Shall deserve a greater fame than he! Which the Coliseum once beheld? To denounce the spectacle of blood? Saw the ir human sport renew'd once more · Stepp'd he forth upon the circling sand; In unhallow'd combat be profaned! Fail'd to sink and hide your brutal shows! Now to swear, they shall forever close!" Mid the tumult, found the means to fly; And, with looks adoring, gazed on high. Strains celestial, that the menace drown! Beckoning to him, with a martyr's crown! Fiercer owell'd the people's frantic shout! Launch'd against him flew the stones like rain: Death and terror circled him about But he stood and perish'd-not in vain! Not in vain the youthful martyr fell! Then and there he crush'd a bloody creed! And his high example shall impel Future heroes to as great a deed! Stony answers yet remain for those Who would question and precede the time! In their season, may they meet their foes, Like TELEMACHUS, with front sublime! SUMMER IN THE HEART. THE cold blast at the casement beats, The snow whirls through the empty streets- Sit down, old friend! the wine-cups wait, In our hearts 'tis summer still! For we full many summer joys And greenwood sports have shared, When, free and ever-roving boys, The rocks, the streams we dared! And, as I look upon thy face Back, back o'er years of ill, My heart flies to that happy place, Where it is summer still! Yes, though, like sere leaves on the ground, Our early hopes are strown, And cherish'd flowers lie dead around, The verdure is not faded quite, Not mute all tones that thrill; For, seeing, hearing thee to-night, In my heart 'tis summer still! Fill up the olden times come back! With light and life once more We scan the future's sunny track, From youth's enchanted shore ! Gone is the winter's angry gloom- THE FUGITIVE FROM LOVE. Is there but a single theme Quick, the rosy nectar bring; I will try a nobler strain. O, perplexity! my books THE NIGHT-STORM AT SEA And the wind sighs through the shrouds, Like a living creature's moan Look! how wildly swells the surge See the giant billows rise While the sca-bird wheels his flight Ah! what sudden light is this, Father! low on bended knee, |