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Which might have borne strong eagle on his quest From realm to realm-was clipped and rounded now,

As those which only just suffice to bear

The whirring partridge on from brake to brake ;

If swift, yet soon to fall. Or like the plumes
Fan-shaped and hardly fledged; which sculpture hangs

On the sleek shoulders of the little Loves.

They too, as many a maiden's tear attests,

They too, who take short flights—and drop too soon.

But lo! beside that figure of old Time

Stood now another figure; which, whilom,

Had not stood there; or which they saw not then,
When youth is busied more to feel than see.
Figure it was with loosely-folded arms,

And bended brow, and introspective eye,
Which seemed as if it pondered on the Past.
The young, had any such been mingling there,

Might well have marvelled what such form should

mean.

But of that gray-haired group, which clustered round, Not one there was but knew the name-and sighedWhen asking-it was answered them "Regret."

1849.

ASPASIA.

ΤΟ

BRIGHT Aspasia! say-how is it?
Tell us with what spell is rife

Smile of thine, whose briefest visit
Wakes each dullest clod to life?

Zephyr shall we type thee, thawing

Vernal flower from Arctic block?

Or some Attic sun-beam, drawing
Hidden oil from rudest rock?

Or believe thee sprite of ages?
Very Her, whom Socrates
Worshipped more than all the Sages,

All the vaunted Seven of Greece.

And their systems throwing over

For the lessons of her eyes,

Happy pupil! happier lover!

Doubly won his name of "Wise."

So come thou, delicious preacher !

Orator-of sparkling looks!

Come, like Her, and be our teacher; Better far than all the books.

Book-worm pedants but benight us; Cumbrous setting clouds the gem.

Bring but thy bright smile to light us, And who'd go for fogs to them?

HINT TO POETS.

BROTHER Bard! if dream thou nourish, Thro' new fancy or new truth,

'Mid the sons of fame to flourish,

Thou must lean on heart of youth.

Youth is eager; youth-elastic;
Plieth both to old and new.

Age deems all, but old, fantastic;

And doth "novel gauds" eschew.

Youth, as yet of time unthrifty,
Poet's song will stay to hear.
Bent on business grey-beard Fifty

To the charmer stops his ear.

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