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like the galley slave；brought in her hand The fair gems of many an ocean
isle； And the diamonds of many a far off land。
And Beauty came too； with her blue； laughing eye； Her fair flowing
locks； and her soft rosy cheek； And red lips； whose sweet smile told
silently The tale which they seemed ashamed to speak。
'Neath the shade of a palm branch a fourth one stood by； With locks
like in hue to the tresses of Night； With a pale； pensive brow； and a dark
dreamy eye； Where the soul of sweet softness lay gleaming in light！
It was Fancy： Love gazed； and his eager eye shone With a lustre of
feeling； deep； fervent； and sweet； And he thought it were better to give up
his throne For a place； on his knees； at the coy maiden's feet。
And from that bright hour； through calm and through storm；
Through the sunlight of summer； and winter's dark reign； These twain
have been bound by ties； tender and warm； Which ne'er through all
time shall be severed again。
And ever where Love weaves his fond witchery； Will Fancy the aid
of her brightness bestow； And give the loved object； whatever it be； A
purer； a dearer； a heavenlier glow！
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LINES WRITTEN IN A YOUNG
LADY'S ALBUM
'Tis not in youth； when life is new； when but to live is sweet； When
Pleasure strews her starlike flow'rs beneath our careless feet； When Hope；
that has not been deferred； first waves its golden wings； And crowds the
distant future with a thousand lovely things；
When if a transient grief o'ershades the spirit for a while； The
momentary tear that falls is followed by a smile； Or if a pensive mood； at
times； across the bosom steals； It scarcely sighs； so gentle is the
pensiveness it feels
It is not then the； restless soul will seek for one with whom To share
whatever lot it bears； its gladness or its gloom； Some trusting； tried； and
gentle heart； some true and faithful breast； Whereon its pinions it may fold；
and claim a place of rest。
But oh！ when comes the icy chill that freezes o'er the heart； When； one
by one； the joys we shared； the hopes we held； depart； When friends； like
autumn's withered leaves； have fallen by our side； And life； so pleasant
once； becomes a desert wild and wide；
As for her olive branch the dove swept o'er the sullen wave； That
rolled above the olden worldits death…robe and its grave！ So will the
spirit search the earth for some kind； gentle one； With it to share her
destiny； and make it all her own！
TO A LADY。 Suggested By Hearing Her Voice During Services At
Church。
At night； in visions； when my soul drew near The shadowy confines
of the spirit land； Wild； wondrous notes of song have met my ear；
Wrung from their harps by many a seraph's hand； And forms of light； too；
more divinely fair Than Mercy's messenger to hearts that mourn； On
wings that made sweet music in the air； Have round me； in those hours
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of bliss； been borne； And； filled with joy unutterable； I Have deemed
myself a born child of the sky。
And often； too； at sunset's magic hour； When musing by some
solitary stream； While thought awoke in its resistless pow'r； And
restless Fancy wove her brightest dream： Mysterious tongues； that were
not of the earth； Have whispered words which I may not repeat； But
Thought or Fancy ne'er have given birth To form and voice like thine；
so fair and sweet！ Nor have I found them when my spirit's flight Had
borne me to the far shores of delight。 Above the murmurs of an hundred
lips； They rose； those silvery tones of praise and pray'r； Soft as the light
breeze； when Aurora trips The earth； and； lighting up the darkened air；
Carols her greetings to the waking flow'rs！ They fell upon my heart like
summer rain Upon the thirsting fields；and earlier hours； When I too
breathed th' adoring pray'r and strain； Came back once more； the present
was beguiled Of half its gloom； and my worn spirit smiled。
Pray； lady； that the sad； soul…searing blight； Which comes upon us
when we tread the ways Of sin； may not be suffered to alight On thy
pure spirit in its youthful days； Or like the fruitage of the Dead Sea shore；
Tho' outward bloom and freshness thou may'st be； Stern bitterness and
death will gnaw thy core； And thou wilt be a heart…scathed thing like
me； Bearing the weight of many years； ere thou Hast lost youth's rosy
cheek and lineless brow。
IMPROMPTU； On The Reception Of A Letter。
I would love to have thee near me； But when I think how drear Is
each hope that used to cheer me； I cease to wish thee here。
I know that thou； wouldst not shrink from The storms that burst on
me； But the bitter chalice I drink from； I will not pass to thee。
I would share the world with thee； were it With all its pleasures
mine； But the sorrows which I inherit； I never will make thine！
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THE OLD MAN AND THE BOY。
〃Glenara； Glenara； now read me my dream。〃 Campbell。
Father； I have dreamed a dream； When the rosy morning hour
Poured its light on field and stream； Kindling nature with its pow'r；
O'er the meadow's dewy breast； I had chased a butterfly； Tempted
by its gaudy vest； Still my vain pursuit to ply；
Till my limbs were weary grown； With the distance I had strayed；
Then to rest I laid me down； Where a beech tree cast its shade；
Soon a heaviness came o'er me； And a deep sleep sealed my eyes；
And a vision past before me； Full of changing phantasies。
First I stood beside a bower； Green as summer bow'r could be； Vine
and fruit； and leaf and flower； Mixed to weave its canopy。
And within reclined a form； As embodied moonlight fair； With a
soft cheek； fresh and warm； Deep blue eye and sunny hair。
By her side a goblet stood； Such as bacchanalians brim； High the
rich grape's crimson blood； Sparkled o'er its gilded rim。
As I gazed； she bowed her head； With a gay and graceful move；
And in words of music said； 〃Drink； and learn the lore of love！〃
Next I stood beside a mountain； Of majestic form and height； Cliff
and crag； and glen and fountain； Mingled to make up its might。
On its lofty brow were growing Flowers never chilled by gloom；
For the sky above them glowing； Dyed them with a deathless bloom。
And I saw the crystal dome； Wondrous in its majesty； Where earth's
great ones find a home； When their spirits are set free。
By its portals； I espied One who kept the courts within； High he
waved a wreath and cried； 〃Come up hither；strive and win！〃
Then my vision changed again： In a fairy…coloured shell； O'er the
wide sea's pathless plain； I was speeding； fast and well。
Suddenly； beneath its prow； Parted were the azure waves； And I saw
where； far below； Yawn the vast deep's secret caves。
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Where the Syren sings her song； To old Ocean's sons and daughters；
And the mermaids dance along； To the music of the waters。
Where the coral forest o'er； Storm or tempest ne'er is driven And the
gems that strew its floor； Sparkle like the stars in heaven。
Treasures； such as never eye Of the earth has looked upon； Gold
an