"THAT COMMON, FALSE, COLD, HOLLOW TALK WHICH MAKES THE HEART DENY THE YES IT BREATHES."-SHElley. YOUTH S SMOOTH OCEAN, SMILING TO BETRAY. -SHELLEY. OASES IN Life's DESERT. Other flowering isles must be Other spirits float and flee O'er that gulf: even now, perhaps, With folding wings they waiting sit To some calm and blooming cove, And the light and smell divine Of all flowers that breathe and shine. We live so happy there, That the spirits of the air, All things in that sweet abode AND MUSIC LIFTED UP THE LISTENING SPIRIT."-SHELLEY. 409 "THE PROGENY IMMORTAL OF PAINTING, SCULPTURE, AND RAPT POESY, AND ARTS YET TO BE."-PERCY B. SHELLEY. 410 "BEAUTY STILL WALKETH ON THE EARTH AND AIR; ALEXANDER SMITH. [From With its own mild brotherhood. They, not it, would change; and soon Every sprite beneath the moon And the earth grow young again. Lines written among the Euganean Hills," one of Shelley's most characteristic compositions, and one which, not less than his other poems, is interpenetrated (to use his own words) by the glory of the sky, be it love, light, harmony, odour, or the soul of all, which from heaven like dew doth fall."] 'MONG BRANCHES GREEN STILL RING-DOVES COO AND PAIR, AND THE DEEP SEA STILL FOAMS ITS MUSIC OLD; THE IMMORTALS. HE splendours of the firmament of time May be eclipsed, but are extinguished not; [From "The Adonais," stanza xliv.] SO, IF WE ARE AT ALL DIVINELY SOULED, THIS BEAUTY WILL UNLOOSE OUR BONDS OF CARE."-A. SMITH. Alexander Smith. [ALEXANDER SMITH was born at Kilmarnock in 1830. His |arentage was humble. In his novel of " Alfred Hagart's Household" he has sketched much of his early life, and painted with much graphic fidelity the scenes in which his childhood was passed-scenes of cloud, and smoke, and shadow, utterly discouraging, as one would have thought, even the strongest poetical impulses. For some years he was employed as a designer of patterns in one of the Glasgow factories; but, assiduously cultivating his mind, and losing no opportunity of acquiring knowledge, he gained courage to appear before the world as a poet, and, in 1853, published "A Life Drama, and * "The one or two immortal lights Rise slowly up into the sky, To shine there everlastingly." MATTHEW ARNOLD. THE ROSES OF THE SPR NG ARE EVER FAIR;—(SMITH) "THE WORLD IS NOTHING BUT A MASS OF MEANS.' SMITH. Other Poems." His book immediately attracted notice; and though some Mr. Smith now obtained the appointment of Secretary to the University "TIS FORTUNE'S TRICK, TO MUFFLE UP HER GIFTS IN DUSKY HULLS,-(ALEXANDER SMITH) THAT, WHEN THEY THROW THEIR MANTLES OFF, SURPRISE MAY-RICHNESS OVER-DOUBLE."-SMITH. THE NOBLE LOVE THAT LIVES IN NOBLE MEN."-SMITH. TENNYSON. "REMEMBER, TIME WORKS OFTEN TO SOME FAIR ACCOMPLISHMENT, WHICH WE, IMPATIENT, PURBLIND, WHEN WAR-WINDS BLOW, KINGDOMS BREAK UP LIKE CLOUDS."-SMITH. CANNOT SEE, AND IN OUR EAGERNESS STRETCH FORTH A HAND, AND THAT ONE ACT MARS ALL."-SMITH. When Spring came to my garden, The crocuses stood in their ranks, like a guard Of honour to receive her. And now in Spring's inconstant smile, In Spring's inconstant light, One lilac-bush is a rosy cloud, "WHY SEARCH FOR ILLS THAT WANDER O'ER THE WILDS OF PHANTASY,-(ALEXANDER SMITH) " PASSION IS A SUBSTANCE VAPOROUS (ALEXANDER SMITH) A SPRING CHANSON. The ivies have clomb o'er the cottage rafter: The gummy buds of the chestnut glitter: On the southern wall I mark a titter "Twill be all covered o'er with a blossoming And the ground beneath an exquisite litter Will then sit in the noon, the patientest knitter, Warm and warmer, around her the hyacinth swells Princess rose-bud, green-hooded, to open to rose. In the Spring-time's lovely thronging And in her deep delight I share With far-removed things THAT CANNOT HOLD ITS SHAPE A SINGLE HOUR."-SMITH. 413 WHICH, IF WE SEEK NOT, WE MAY NEVER SEE? BE NOT DOWNCAST ALTHOUGH THE HEAVENS FROWN."-SMITH. |