When with a solemn brow we chide The daring thoughts would upward guide; Creep careful on—afraid of falling— And laud" the common sense" of crawling! Yet Disappointment hath a keen And serpent tooth. And oft, methinks, "Twere better if no Hope had been, So had we 'scaped the galling links By which, when Hope expires, we have A deathless bondage to her grave! Now let us for awhile transport Within the Brother's cot; you see The woodbine's emerald leaves that court The lattice reached the mossy sward, Within that chamber there are those Whom Nature rules, no less than o'er The flowers and herbs around; the rose So Beauty melloweth unto one; So the heart opens to its sun! By Mary's side, her hand in his, Her lover kneeleth, And from that hand his truant kiss The glow-that rouse and yet subdue ;— And he ev'n he-the while he sought "Be soothed," he said, "we part, but yet "One hope our severed souls will cheer, "And all the past we most regret, "Shall chase away the future fear. "Oh! while in distant lands I toil "For wealth thy Sire's consent to buy, "Thy thoughts, like dew, shall bless the soil, "Thy love, like stars, smile from the sky. "And never, love, believe me, never "Did those who through all changes bore "The heart unchanging-Fate so sever "But that they met-we'll meet once more! 'Be true to me,' "I do not say, "I know that deep and tender heart! "I only tell thee—' Live to see "How lov'd-how truly lov'd-thou art !' "Ah! what are years to those whose thought "Can bear them o'er the gulf of space? 66 By grief itself my soul hath bought "The right to fly to thine embrace! "Methinks, if when, once more we meet, "The form be bowed, the locks be thin; ""Tis but thy welcome eyes to greet, "To light Youth's lamp once more within! "Age is not made for us!-No! all "The Past defies its withering breath! "The snows of Time on Love may fall, "And only warm the soil beneath. "Well weep-weep on ! for hearts like ours "If Joy the fancy most beguiles, ""Tis Grief that to the heart endears; "Oh! slight the love which springs from smiles, "To that which has been nurst in tears!" He ceast-for many feelings rushed And his breast heaved thick and high; But Mary o'er him bowed her fond And anxious eyes, that ceased to weep: "Thou speakest well," she answered, placing On his her wan and trembling hand, "And henceforth every dark thought chasing, "The Seraph Hope, we will withstand. "I often think, that breasts may be "In absence only more allied: “A moment's thought estranged from thee "Were nothing, wert thou by my side; "And I have vexed thee-to my shame, 66 "When thou wert by, and I was gay, But, oh! the least look thou could'st blame, "I could not look-and thou away! "And if our love--" He lifts his eye Upon her worn and altered cheek; And his words, fierce and suddenly, Upon her melting accents break. "Our love! oh, name it not !--I feel 66 "What should have preyed untold within? "Our love!--my love hath blighted thee 66 "And thine !-Oh, would that I could tear Away that holy band, and be "The only victim to despair!" "Julian!" Her voice's music trembling, Lulled his disturbed soul, As, thought in tenderness dissembling, Gently its whispers stole. "What, wouldst thou change what now thou bearest, "Ne'er to have been beloved by me? "And think'st thou I would take the fairest "Lot, for one memory less of thee? "When the poor Indian boy to day, "Redeemed-regenerate--and released, "I saw bound forth upon his way, "On nature and glad thought to feast; |