Page:Summer on the lakes, in 1843.djvu/254

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244
SUMMER ON THE LAKES.
Ere such an orb can ascertain its sphere,
The ordeal must be various and severe;
My prayers attend thee, though the feet may fly,
I hear thy music in the silent sky.


I should like, however, to hear some notes of earthly music to-night. By the faint moonshine I can hardly see the banks; how they look I have no guess, except that there are trees, and, now and then, a light lets me know there are homes with their various interests. I should like to hear some strains of the flute from beneath those trees, just to break the sound of the rapids.


When no gentle eyebeam charms;
No fond hope the bosom warms;
Of thinking the lone mind is tired —
Nought seems bright to be desired;
 
Music, be thy sails unfurled,
Bear me to thy better world;
O'er a cold and weltering sea,
Blow thy breezes warm and free;
 
By sad sighs they ne'er were chilled,
By sceptic spell were never stilled;
Take me to that far-offshore,
Where lovers meet to part no more;
There doubt, and fear and sin are o'er,
The star of love shall set no more.


With the first light of dawn I was up and out, and then was glad I had not seen all the night before; it came upon me with such power in