Madmoments: or First Verseattempts By a Bornnatural. Addressed to the Lightheaded of Society at Large, by Henry Ellison |
 | I. |
| II. |
 | Madmoments: or First Verseattempts |  |
THE HOMELESS.
1
Hark! 'tis but the sere Leaf which makesMe with its Footfallmotion start,
Like to a guilty Thing that shakes,
As all were not right at the Heart.
2
The same Star now is overhead,Which so oft on my Boyhood shone,
As homeward sent to guide my Tread,
Alas! where does it now lead on?
3
I know not — 'tis not to my Home;The Home I seek is very far,
218
Yea! up above yon 'still, fair star!
4
Oh Eveningstar, that leadëst now,Unto the household Hearth so dear,
So many Hearts, oh how, oh how,
Canst thou forget me mourning here?
5
Mine Eyes are dim at Sight of thee,My feet mechanically move,
Thou draw'st me on resistlessly,
Softbeaming like the Eyes I love.
6
Ah cruel Star, why wilt thou cheatMe with this Dream of Things longpast,
Home has no Threshhold for my Feet,
No Warmth is from that Hearth now cast!
7
Thou art but a mere Star to me,Like those that near thee coldly shine,
The Home, that gave the Charm to thee,
Is gone, and thou no more divine!
8
They tell me even on thy fair,Calm Silverdisk, that Night and Day
Alternate, and that Sorrow there
Too claims o'er human Hearts his Sway.
9
Then roll thou on thro' boundless Space,The Home I seek is not in thee,
My Heart would find a Restingplace,
The long Rest of Eternity!
| Madmoments: or First Verseattempts | |