Its leaves which had outlived the frost, the thaw VII. The Heavens had wept upon it, but the Earth VIII. I bore it to my chamber, and I planted Fell through the window panes, disrobed of cold, IX. The mitigated influences of air And light revived the plant, and from it grew Strong leaves and tendrils, and its flowers fair, Full as a cup with the vine's burning dew, And every impulse sent to every part X. Well might the plant grow beautiful and strong, Tears pure as Heaven's rain, which fell upon it Mixed with the stringed melodies that won it XI. Had loosed his heart, and shook the leaves and flowers On which he wept, the while the savage storm Waked by the darkest of December's hours Was raving round the chamber hushed and warm; The birds were shivering in their leafless bowers, The fish were frozen in the pools, the form Of every summer plant was dead [ Whilst this January, 1822. THE TWO SPIRITS. AN ALLEGORY. FIRST SPIRIT. Oh thou, who plumed with strong desire Bright are the regions of the air, And among the winds and beams It were delight to wander thereNight is coming! The deathless stars are bright above; And the moon will smile with gentle light On my golden plumes where'er they move; The meteors will linger round my flight And make night day. FIRST SPIRIT. But if the whirlwinds of darkness waken The red swift clouds of the hurricane SECOND SPIRIT. I see the light, and I hear the sound; And thou, when the gloom is deep and stark, Some say, there is a precipice Where one vast pine is frozen to ruin O'er piles of snow and chasms of ice Mid Alpine mountains; And that the languid storm pursuing Some say, when nights are dry and clear, A FRAGMENT. THEY were two cousins, almost like to twins, Nature had razed their love-which could not be And so they grew together, like two flowers Which the same hand will gather-the same clime Within whose bosom and whose brain now glow He faints, dissolved into a sense of love; Had not brought forth this morn-your wedding day. |