And praise the chisell'd broideries rare— The princely pair are left alone III. The Tomb. So rest, for ever rest, O princely Pair! In your high church, 'mid the still mountain-air, So sleep, for ever sleep, O marble Pair! And on the pavement round the tomb there glints A chequer-work of glowing sapphire-tints, And amethyst, and ruby-then unclose The moon through the clere-story windows shines, This is the glimmering verge of Heaven, and these And in the sweeping of the wind your ear A MODERN SAPPHO. THEY are gone-all is still! Foolish heart, dost thou quiver? Nothing stirs on the lawn but the quick lilac shade. Far up shines the house, and beneath flows the river Here lean, my head, on this cold balustrade! Ere he come-ere the boat by the shining-branch'd border Of dark elms shoot round, dropping down the proud stream, Let me pause, let me strive, in myself make some order, Ere their boat-music sound, ere their broider'd flags gleam. Last night we stood earnestly talking together; She enter'd that moment his eyes turn'd from me! Fasten'd on her dark hair, and her wreath of white heather As yesterday was, so to-morrow will be. Their love, let me know, must grow strong and yet stronger, Their passion burn more, ere it ceases to burn. They must love-while they must! but the hearts that love longer Are rare-ah! most loves but flow once, and return. I shall suffer-but they will outlive their affection; I shall weep-but their love will be cooling; and he, As he drifts to fatigue, discontent, and dejection, Will be brought, thou poor heart, how much nearer to thee! For cold is his eye to mere beauty, who, breaking The strong band which passion around him hath furl'd, Disenchanted by habit, and newly awaking, Looks languidly round on a gloom-buried world. Through that gloom he will see but a shadow appearing, Perceive but a voice as I come to his side; -But deeper their voice grows, and nobler their bearing, Whose youth in the fires of anguish hath died. So, to wait! -But what notes down the wind, hark! are driving? 'Tis he! 'tis their flag, shooting round by the trees! -Let my turn, if it will come, be swift in arriving! Ah! hope cannot long lighten torments like these. Hast thou yet dealt him, O life, thy full measure? World, have thy children yet bow'd at his knee? Hast thou with myrtle-leaf crown'd him, O pleasure? —Crown, crown him quickly, and leave him for me. REQUIESCAT. STREW on her roses, roses, In quiet she reposes; Ah! would that I did too. Her mirth the world required; She bathed it in smiles of glee. But her heart was tired, tired, And now they let her be. Her life was turning, turning, In mazes of heat and sound; Her cabin'd, ample spirit, It flutter'd and fail'd for breath; The vasty hall of death. YOUTH AND CALM. 'Tis death! and peace, indeed, is here, |