Page:Songs of the Affections.pdf/23

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A SPIRIT'S RETURN.
15


On earth we meet no more!"—and all was gone—
The pale bright settled brow—the thrilling tone—
The still and shining eye!—and never more
May twilight gloom or midnight hush restore
That radiant guest!—One full-fraught hour of Heaven,
To earthly passion's wild implorings given,
Was made my own—the ethereal fire hath shiver'd
The fragile censer in whose mould it quiver'd,
Brightly, consumingly!—What now is left?—
A faded world, of glory's hues bereft,
A void, a chain!—I dwell, 'midst throngs, apart,
In the cold silence of the stranger's heart;
A fix'd, immortal shadow stands between
My spirit and life's fast-receding scene;
A gift hath sever'd me from human ties,
A power is gone from all earth's melodies,
Which never may return:—their chords are broken—
The music of another land hath spoken,—
No after-sound is sweet!—this weary thirst!—