As we have intimated before, however, we believe the inadvertences of Professor Porter's work to be comparatively few, when we consider the infinity of particulars of which it is composed. We have been reluctant to mention those which have occurred to us, lest they should produce an unfavorable impression in respect to the value and trustworthiness of the work. Such is far from being our impression on the whole. On the contrary, we think that the book deserves to be used in our theological schools, and to have a place in the library of every clergyman. G. R. N. ART. III.-RECENT ENGLISH LYRICS.* We do not claim for either of the authors, whose names appear in the titles quoted below, what microscopical criticism is pleased to denominate "the great gifts of poesy." They are not known in select circles as wise seers, whose time has been studiously occupied in shedding elaborate immortality either on violets or virtue. Occasionally they may have "hung a jewel in a cowslip's ear," but they are not particularly known as excelling in that department of decorative industry. They recognize the silent sunshine of the Sabbath day, and are familiar with the music of the ever-going stars, but they have been content to sing of the human heart, its joys and its sorrows. Some of them have not always chosen their motto in unison with that engraved upon the Venetian sun-dial, "Horas non numero nisi serenas,"-but they have oftener recorded the darker side of life's experience, and habitually with great beauty and power. *1. The Poetical Sketch Book. BY THOMAS K. HERVEY. New Edition. London: Edward Bull. 16mo. pp. 286. 2. Poems and Songs. By ALLAN CUNNINGHAM. With an Introduction, Glossary, and Notes, by PETER CUNNINGHAM. London: John Murray. 16mo. pp. 151. 3. English Melodies. By CHARLES SWAIN. Author of "The Mind," "Dramatic Chapters," and other Poems. London: Longman & Co. 16mo. pp. 304. 4. The Poetical Works of HENRY ALFORD. London: F. & J. Rivington. 2 vols. 16mo. 5. Poems. By WILLIAM C. BENNETT. (Unpublished.) 1850.] Thomas K. Hervey. 41 It is not our purpose to occupy much space in calling attention to these volumes of verse, none of which, we believe, have been as yet republished in our country, but simply to quote a few of their briefer poems, whose melody and sweetness we feel confident will be both pleasant and welcome to all. Mr. Hervey, we understand, is a Scotch gentleman, now residing in London, where his time is principally devoted to literature. Besides the volume before us, he is the author of a very pleasant book on Christmas, and of some unclaimed jeux d'esprit in the way of satire. We open his "Poetical Sketch Book," and ask no stronger claims for him to the title of poet than the following piece of exquisite feeling : "And I have dreamt, in many dreams, ""Tis years ago!—and other eyes Have flung their beauty o'er my youth, And I have hung on other sighs, And sounds that seemed like truth, "And I have left the cold and dead, "Rise, gentle vision of the hours, Which go like birds, that come not back! O for the wings that made thee blest, Here is something in a different vein, but bearing the same true impress of a master's hand. "CLEOPATRA. (AFTER DANBY'S PICTURE OF THE EGYPTIAN QUEEN EMBARKING ON THE CYDNUS.) "The barge she sat in, like a burnished throne Burned on the water: the poop was beaten gold; Purple the sails, and so perfumed that The winds were lovesick with them; the oars were silver; Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke, and made The water which they beat to follow faster, As amorous of their strokes.'-SHAKSPEARE. "Flutes in the sunny air! And harps in the porphyry halls! And low, deep hum, like a people's prayer,With its heart-breathed swells, and falls! And an echo, like the desert's call, Flung back to the shouting shores! And the river's ripple, heard through all, As it plays with the silver oars! The sky is a gleam of gold! And the amber breezes float, Like thoughts to be dreamed of, but never told, Around the dancing boat! "She has stepped on the burning sand! And the thousand tongues are mute! And the Syrian strikes, with a trembling hand, 1850.] Allan Cunningham. And the Ethiop's heart throbs loud and high, And the Lybian kneels, as he meets her eye, The gales may not be heard, Yet the silken streamers quiver, And the vessel shoots, like a bright-plumed bird, "Away by the lofty mount! And away by the lonely shore! And away by the gushing of many a fount, And hope, and beauty blasted! That scenes so fair and hearts so gay Should be so early wasted! 43 Allan Cunningham, in whatever shape he chooses to appear, is always welcome. We are indebted for this admirable collection of a father's poems to his favorite son, whose Introduction to the volume is a warm and filial tribute to departed genius. What can be finer than this charming little copy of verses, celebrating so sweetly "the lovely lass of Preston Mill"? "THE LOVELY LASS OF PRESTON MILL. "The lark had left the evening cloud, The dew fell soft, the wind was lowne, The stars were blinking owre the hill, "Her naked feet, amang the grass, Shone like twa dew-gemmed lilies fair; "Quo' I, 'Sweet lass, will ye gang wi' me, I hae looked lang for a weel-faur'd lass “Quo' I, ‘Sweet maiden, look nae down, 'I hae a lad, wha's far awa', That weel could win a woman's will; My heart's already fu' o' love,' Quo' the lovely lass of Preston Mill. "Now wha is he wha could leave sic a lass, Quo' the lovely lass of Preston Mill. |