Come, for the soft low sunlight calls, 'Tis lovelier than these cottage walls,That seat among the flowers. And I will learn of thee a prayer, To Him who gave a home so fair, The God who made, for thee and me, THE FIRMAMENT. AY! gloriously thou standest there, With thy bright vault, and sapphire wall, Far, far below thee, tall gray trees The eagle soars his utmost height, Yet far thou stretchest o'er his flight. Thou hast thy frowns-with thee on high The storm has made his airy seat, Beyond that soft blue curtain lie His stores of hail and sleet. Thence the consuming lightnings break, There the strong hurricanes awake. H Yet art thou prodigal of smiles Smiles, sweeter than thy frowns are stern The glory that comes down from thee, The sun, the gorgeous sun is thine, The pomp that brings and shuts the day, The clouds that round him change and shine, The airs that fan his way. Thence look the thoughtful stars, and there The meek moon walks the silent air. The sunny Italy may boast The beauteous tints that flush her skies, I only know how fair they stand And they are fair-a charm is theirs, That earth, the proud green earth, has not, With all the forms, and hues, and airs, That haunt her sweetest spot. We gaze upon thy calm pure sphere, Oh, when, amid the throng of men, The heart grows sick of hollow mirth, How willingly we turn us then Away from this cold earth, And look into thy azure breast, For seats of innocence and rest! "I CANNOT FORGET WITH WHAT FERVID DEVOTION." I CANNOT forget with what fervid devotion I worshipped the visions of verse and of fame; And deep were my musings in life's early blossom, Mid the twilight of mountain-groves wandering long; Mong the deep-cloven fells that for ages had listened Where the kingfisher screamed and gray precipice glistened, Till I felt the dark power o'er my reveries stealing, Bright visions! I mixed with the world, and ye faded, In the old mossy groves on the breast of the mountain, 1 |