The Coronation of Inez de Castro. Loading the marble pavement old For something lay 'midst their fretted gold, And within that rich pavilion, Seem'd with no pulse beneath to thrill, But a peal of lordly music And from the encircling band Stepp'd Prince and Chief, 'midst the hush profound, Why pass'd a faint, cold shuddering As one by one, to touch that hand, Death! Death! canst thou be lovely Unto the eye of life? Is not each pulse of the quick high breast It was a strange and fearful sight, The crown upon that head, The glorious robes, and the blaze of light, And beside her stood in silence 435 King Pedro, with a jealous eye, But on the face he look'd not, Which once his star had been; Though something, won from the grave's embrace, Its hues were all of that shadowy place, It was not for him to bear. Alas! the crown, the sceptre, The treasures of the earth, And the priceless love that pour'd those gifts, The rites are closed:-bear back the Dead Lay down again the royal head, There is music on the midnight— As the mourners through the sounding aisle And the ring of state, and the starry crown, Are borne to the house of silence down, With her, that queen of clay! And tearlessly and firmly King Pedro led the train, But his face was wrapt in his folding robe, 'Tis hush'd at last the tomb above, Hymns die, and steps depart: Who call'd thee strong as Death, O Love? ITALIAN GIRL'S HYMN TO THE VIRGIN. "O SANCTISSIMA, O purissima! Sicilian Mariner's Hymn. IN the deep hour of dreams, Through the dark woods, and past the moaning sea, Mother of Sorrows! lo, I come to thee. Unto thy shrine I bear Night-blowing flowers, like my own heart, to lie Beneath the meekness of thy pitying eye. For thou, that once didst move, In thy still beauty, through an early home, The fear of woman's soul;-to thee I come! Many, and sad, and deep, Were the thoughts folded in thy silent breast; There is a wandering bark Bearing one from me o'er the restless waves; His course ;-be with him, Holiest, guide and save! My soul is on that way; My thoughts are travellers o'er the waters dim; I walk, o'ershadow'd by vain dreams of him. Aid him,-and me, too, aid! Oh! 'tis not well, this earthly love's excess! The burden of too deep a tenderness. Too much o'er him is pour'd My being's hope-scarce leaving Heaven a part; Oh! make not him the chastener of my heart! I tremble with a sense Of grief to be ;-I hear a warning low Sweet mother! call me hence! This wild idolatry must end in woe. The troubled joy of life, Love's lightning happiness, my soul hath known; And, worn with feverish strife, Would fold its wings;-take back, take back thine own! Hark! how the wind swept by! The tempest's voice comes rolling o'er the wave Hope of the sailor's eye, And maiden's heart, blest mother, guide and save! TO A DEPARTED SPIRIT. FROM the bright stars, or from the viewless air, Answer me, answer me ! Have we not communed here of life and death? To melt away, like song from festal bowers? Answer, oh! answer me! Thine eye's last light was mine-the soul that shone Hear, hear, and answer me ! Thy voice-its low, soft, fervent, farewell tone But once, oh! answer me ! In the still noontide, in the sunset's hush, In the dead hour of night, when thought grows deep, Spirit! then answer me ! By the remembrance of our blended prayer; Speak! if our souls in deathless yearnings meet; Answer me, answer me! The grave is silent :-and the far-off sky, And the deep midnight-silent all, and lone! Oh! if thy buried love make no reply, What voice has Earth ?-Hear, pity, speak, mine own! THE CHAMOIS HUNTER'S LOVE. "For all his wildness and proud fantasies, I love him!"-CROLY. THY heart is in the upper world, where fleet the Chamois bounds, Thy heart is where the mountain-fir shakes to the torrent-sounds; And where the snow-peaks gleam like stars, through the stillness of the air, And where the Lauwine's* peal is heard-Hunter! thy heart is there! I know thou lov'st me well, dear friend! but better, better far, Thou lov'st that high and haughty life, with rocks and storms at war; In the green sunny vales with me, thy spirit would but pine- And I will not seek to woo thee down from those thy native heights, *Laurine, the avalanche. |