In the battle, in the darkness, in the need, Nor claim one smile for all the comfort, love, TO E*** V***. MADONNA, wherefore hast thou sent to me Embleming love and health, which never yet Alas, and they are wet! Is it with thy kisses or thy tears? Such fragrance drew From plant or flower-the very doubt endears My sadness ever new, The sighs I breathe, the tears I shed for thee. TIME. UNFATHOMABLE Sea! whose waves are years, Ocean of Time, whose waters of deep woe Are brackish with the salt of human tears! Thou shoreless flood, which in thy ebb and flow Claspest the limits of mortality! And sick of prey, yet howling on for more, Vomitest thy wrecks on its inhospitable shore; Treacherous in calm, and terrible in storm, Who shall put forth on thee, Unfathomable Sea? THE FUGITIVES. I. THE waters are flashing, The whirlwind is rolling, The thunder is tolling, The forest is swinging, The minster bells ringing- The Earth is like Ocean, Bird, beast, man, and worm, II. "Our boat has one sail, A bold pilot I trow, Who should follow us now,"- And she cried: "Ply the oar; O'er the sea. And from isle, tower, and rock, The red cannon flashed fast From the lee. III. "And fear'st thou, and fear'st thou ? And see'st thou, and hear'st thou ? And drive we not free O'er the terrible sea, I and thou?" One boat-cloak did cover The loved and the lover Their blood beats one measure, They murmur proud pleasure While around the lashed Ocean, Is withdrawn and uplifted, MUTABILITY. THE flower that smiles to-day All that we wish to stay, Tempts and then flies; What is this world's delight? Virtue, how frail it is! Friendship too rare! Love, how it sells poor bliss But we, though soon they fall, Survive their joy and all Which ours we call. Whilst skies are blue and bright, Whilst Whilst flowers are gay, eyes that change ere night Make glad the day; Whilst yet the calm hours creep, Dream thou-and from thy sleep Then wake to weep. |