poems.
17
And thus, when all is fled,—
The fairness, brightness, beauty, of our days,—
May hope's soft voice be sped,
With all its sweet and thrilling melodies.
The fairness, brightness, beauty, of our days,—
May hope's soft voice be sped,
With all its sweet and thrilling melodies.
MEMORY.
The glorious sounds of day were hush'd to rest.
Except the sighing wind through forest trees,
And gentle ripples o'er the streamlet's breast,
The harp of nature now was still; but these
Low-murm'ring echoes of the south wind seem'd
The farewell notes, as far away they stream'd,
Whisp'ring their mournful cadence; and the thought
Sweet bygone melodies to mem'ry brought.
Except the sighing wind through forest trees,
And gentle ripples o'er the streamlet's breast,
The harp of nature now was still; but these
Low-murm'ring echoes of the south wind seem'd
The farewell notes, as far away they stream'd,
Whisp'ring their mournful cadence; and the thought
Sweet bygone melodies to mem'ry brought.
Far o'er the sky, unclouded in its hue,
The morning light, reflecting from afar,[1]
Its varied, shifting, sunny visions threw,—
Bright too, yet mournful as the lonely star.
Thus mem'ry's light from fair and distant things
A gentle radiance to this sad home brings.
Oh, star of mem'ry, bright in loneliness,
Still shed thy lustre round, still shine and bless!
The morning light, reflecting from afar,[1]
Its varied, shifting, sunny visions threw,—
Bright too, yet mournful as the lonely star.
Thus mem'ry's light from fair and distant things
A gentle radiance to this sad home brings.
Oh, star of mem'ry, bright in loneliness,
Still shed thy lustre round, still shine and bless!
- ↑ An allusion to the Aurora Borealis, by many believed to be the reflection of the sun's rays on the North Seas
