Comic Tales and Lyrical Fancies including The Chessiad, a Mock-Heroic, in Five Cantos; and The Wreath of Love, in Four Cantos. By C. Dibdin, the Younger |
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| THE WREATH OF LOVE;
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 | Comic Tales and Lyrical Fancies |  |
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THE WREATH OF LOVE;
AN ALLEGORY, IN FOUR CANTOS OF IRREGULAR VERSE.
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CANTO FIRST.
Had Eve's too curious spirit stay'd
Its restless yearnings to be made
Wiser than Heaven propos'd, then Love
Had been untroubled, pure, and holy;
Such as, on mission from above,
Love came to soothe man's melancholy.
Its restless yearnings to be made
Wiser than Heaven propos'd, then Love
Had been untroubled, pure, and holy;
Such as, on mission from above,
Love came to soothe man's melancholy.
O, that the blessing, last and best,
God gave to man—who felt unblest
By all the joys of Paradise,
Without dear woman—lovely dower!
The bloom and fragrance of life's flower—
O, that such blessing should destroy
Love's sacred hope and hallow'd joy,
And give him up to agony and vice!
God gave to man—who felt unblest
By all the joys of Paradise,
Without dear woman—lovely dower!
The bloom and fragrance of life's flower—
O, that such blessing should destroy
Love's sacred hope and hallow'd joy,
And give him up to agony and vice!
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Yet, 'twas not woman but the fiend,
Who came like things unclean, yet bright,
On fairest flow'rs engendering blight.
Woman, sweet flower! by ignorance was screen'd
From shame and sorrow; but the tempter came
And whisper'd, “knowledge:” through each tranquil sense
Infus'd a subtle, searching, hectic flame,
Which wither'd purity to impotence;
Then thirsted sense for joys unholy,
And woman, cheated, stoop'd to folly.
Who came like things unclean, yet bright,
On fairest flow'rs engendering blight.
Woman, sweet flower! by ignorance was screen'd
From shame and sorrow; but the tempter came
And whisper'd, “knowledge:” through each tranquil sense
Infus'd a subtle, searching, hectic flame,
Which wither'd purity to impotence;
Then thirsted sense for joys unholy,
And woman, cheated, stoop'd to folly.
Then love first wept! wept tears of shame,
And had submitted to despair;
But Hope, all-radiant, smiling came—
When driven Love from Eden's bowers—
And wove a wreath of Eden's flowers;
Then follow'd weeping Love to where,
Heartless, upon the ground he lay,
Where thorns and thistles strew'd the way;
And had submitted to despair;
But Hope, all-radiant, smiling came—
When driven Love from Eden's bowers—
And wove a wreath of Eden's flowers;
Then follow'd weeping Love to where,
Heartless, upon the ground he lay,
Where thorns and thistles strew'd the way;
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Uprais'd Love from his restless bed,
And plac'd the garland on his head:
“Wear this,” she cried, with soothing voice,
And Love shall smile, if not rejoice.
These sacred flowers can never die,
Their bloom a heavenly charm shall be,
And while Love's crown these flowers supply
His heart from anguish shall be free.”
And plac'd the garland on his head:
“Wear this,” she cried, with soothing voice,
And Love shall smile, if not rejoice.
These sacred flowers can never die,
Their bloom a heavenly charm shall be,
And while Love's crown these flowers supply
His heart from anguish shall be free.”
Thus Hope, and kiss'd love's bright'ning eyes;
And Love kiss'd Hope; but, dread surprise!
The evil atmosphere of earth
To blight already had giv'n birth,
And Eden's flowers had chang'd their hue!
Lovely they look'd, yet flush'd, not blooming—
Like some sweet, graceful, maiden who
Feels hectic languor life consuming;
Her flushing cheeks and faded lips
Tell that life's dew death slowly sips.
And Love kiss'd Hope; but, dread surprise!
The evil atmosphere of earth
To blight already had giv'n birth,
And Eden's flowers had chang'd their hue!
Lovely they look'd, yet flush'd, not blooming—
Like some sweet, graceful, maiden who
Feels hectic languor life consuming;
Her flushing cheeks and faded lips
Tell that life's dew death slowly sips.
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Yes, Love kiss'd Hope, half wild with bliss;
Then Love first gave a burning kiss,
And thrillings felt unknown before,
That told of something wild within,
Restless, but sweet; and yet, tho' sweet, distressing;
Blest, but still craving, covetous of blessing.
Soft, bashful tenderness suffic'd no more;
Tremblings, deep sighs, hot breathings, tears,
And blushes told, mid bliss, of fears,
And fierce desires, the progeny of sin.
Then Love first gave a burning kiss,
And thrillings felt unknown before,
That told of something wild within,
Restless, but sweet; and yet, tho' sweet, distressing;
Blest, but still craving, covetous of blessing.
Soft, bashful tenderness suffic'd no more;
Tremblings, deep sighs, hot breathings, tears,
And blushes told, mid bliss, of fears,
And fierce desires, the progeny of sin.
Love kiss'd sweet Hope, and, all-subdued,
Burst into tears of gratitude:
“O, never, never, from me part,”
He cried, “O, feel my panting heart;
Without thy presence I must die;
With thee life's immortality.”
Burst into tears of gratitude:
“O, never, never, from me part,”
He cried, “O, feel my panting heart;
Without thy presence I must die;
With thee life's immortality.”
But love no longer pure as when
In Eden, to the first of men,
Eve burst upon his ravish'd sight,
Like a full stream of heavenly light;
Her Maker's image, beaming grace;
Heaven's transcript in her form and face:
Adam beheld, and raised his eyes,
In speechless gratitude, to skies
That more refulgent seem'd to shine
In honour of the gift divine.
In Eden, to the first of men,
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Like a full stream of heavenly light;
Her Maker's image, beaming grace;
Heaven's transcript in her form and face:
Adam beheld, and raised his eyes,
In speechless gratitude, to skies
That more refulgent seem'd to shine
In honour of the gift divine.
Love, no longer heavenly pure,
Had fear to dread, and doubt endure,
And headstrong passion to oppose,
Leagu'd with a host of restless foes;
And, with their force unskill'd to cope,
Requir'd the constant aid of Hope:
With yearning heart and tearful care,
He breath'd to Hope an anxious prayer.
Had fear to dread, and doubt endure,
And headstrong passion to oppose,
Leagu'd with a host of restless foes;
And, with their force unskill'd to cope,
Requir'd the constant aid of Hope:
With yearning heart and tearful care,
He breath'd to Hope an anxious prayer.
Hope said, “The flowers that form your wreath,
From Eden's soil transported hither
Where tainted is each zephyr's breath,
Will change their hue, but never wither;
They cannot die, though droop they may;
And when some breath of Eden's air,
Hither wafted, fans their leaves,
And Eden's sun-beams on them play,
(Darting beyond the blessed bound
To where man tills a sullen ground)
Then shall the wreath, whose partial fading
Love, with genial nature, grieves,
Again become fresh, bright, and fair.
The essence of these flowers pervading
Thy ev'ry nerve and every vein—
As dews search flowers and earth soft rain—
As pure or tainted it may be
So shall its influence temper thee.
Then, bless'd and tranquil would'st thou prove,
O, stray not far from Eden, Love;
And as thoughts chaste or wild pervade thee,
Thy guardian, Hope, will fly or aid thee.”
From Eden's soil transported hither
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Will change their hue, but never wither;
They cannot die, though droop they may;
And when some breath of Eden's air,
Hither wafted, fans their leaves,
And Eden's sun-beams on them play,
(Darting beyond the blessed bound
To where man tills a sullen ground)
Then shall the wreath, whose partial fading
Love, with genial nature, grieves,
Again become fresh, bright, and fair.
The essence of these flowers pervading
Thy ev'ry nerve and every vein—
As dews search flowers and earth soft rain—
As pure or tainted it may be
So shall its influence temper thee.
Then, bless'd and tranquil would'st thou prove,
O, stray not far from Eden, Love;
And as thoughts chaste or wild pervade thee,
Thy guardian, Hope, will fly or aid thee.”
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She gave to Love a golden lyre;
Taught him, with feeling and with fire,
To wake the voices of the strings;
Then taught him song; and soft Desire
Ever listens while he sings.
But first she taught him how to sing,
As seraphs sing, th' Eternal's praise;
And while the hymn employ'd the strings
His wreath was brilliant as his lays:
Full Eden's rays upon it shone
Bright as when in Eden's bowers
Bloom'd those rich and fragrant flowers;
And where such rays beam sickly dews are none.
Taught him, with feeling and with fire,
To wake the voices of the strings;
Then taught him song; and soft Desire
Ever listens while he sings.
But first she taught him how to sing,
As seraphs sing, th' Eternal's praise;
And while the hymn employ'd the strings
His wreath was brilliant as his lays:
Full Eden's rays upon it shone
Bright as when in Eden's bowers
Bloom'd those rich and fragrant flowers;
And where such rays beam sickly dews are none.
When died the pious strain away,
Love tun'd to Hope a grateful lay;
Hope listen'd, with that charming smile
Whose dimpling sweetness none withstand;
Her balmy lips half-clos'd the while,
Across her heaving breast her hand;
Her soft blue eyes, half languishing,
Turn'd upon love, who—as the string
He touch'd, with that melodious tone
That makes th' enraptur'd soul its own,
And sang, “Sweet Hope!”—on hers, in turn,
Fix'd his full eyes, which seem'd to burn,
Till tears of sensibility,
Gushing, subdued their fervency.
Love tun'd to Hope a grateful lay;
Hope listen'd, with that charming smile
Whose dimpling sweetness none withstand;
Her balmy lips half-clos'd the while,
Across her heaving breast her hand;
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Turn'd upon love, who—as the string
He touch'd, with that melodious tone
That makes th' enraptur'd soul its own,
And sang, “Sweet Hope!”—on hers, in turn,
Fix'd his full eyes, which seem'd to burn,
Till tears of sensibility,
Gushing, subdued their fervency.
Hope, half enthusiast, seem'd to prove
The stealing influence of Love;
And from that hour, Hope, kind as fair,
Where Love is fondly lingers there.
The stealing influence of Love;
And from that hour, Hope, kind as fair,
Where Love is fondly lingers there.
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CANTO SECOND.
Sorrowing went the ejected pair
From Paradise, and with them love;
They went not with th' ingenuous air
And tranquil tenderness that prove
The heart's sweet confidence in bliss:
Their eyes no longer beam'd delight,
Seeking each other with that gaze
Of kindred harmony that plays
Around the heart till souls unite.
From Paradise, and with them love;
They went not with th' ingenuous air
And tranquil tenderness that prove
The heart's sweet confidence in bliss:
Their eyes no longer beam'd delight,
Seeking each other with that gaze
Of kindred harmony that plays
Around the heart till souls unite.
Now, timid, tearful glances show
Fear, wavering faith, suspicion, woe,
And fever'd love, abash'd and blushing—
Not with joy's mantling but shame's flushing:
Languid and trembling was their kiss;
While downcast look and labouring sigh
Prov'd Love's new inmate—agony;
And then, when roses there were born,
Love's favourite flower first bare a thorn.
Fear, wavering faith, suspicion, woe,
And fever'd love, abash'd and blushing—
Not with joy's mantling but shame's flushing:
Languid and trembling was their kiss;
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Prov'd Love's new inmate—agony;
And then, when roses there were born,
Love's favourite flower first bare a thorn.
Love journey'd with them, and his wreath,
Although distemper'd, show'd not death;
And—till the parricide by blood
Dy'd earth with that accursed stain
Which all the waters of the flood
Could never blanch—reliev'd from pain,
With Adam's sons and daughters fair
Love dwelt; his wreath felt Eden's air,
And Eden's sun-beams; Love was blest
With Hope, with harmony, and rest.
Although distemper'd, show'd not death;
And—till the parricide by blood
Dy'd earth with that accursed stain
Which all the waters of the flood
Could never blanch—reliev'd from pain,
With Adam's sons and daughters fair
Love dwelt; his wreath felt Eden's air,
And Eden's sun-beams; Love was blest
With Hope, with harmony, and rest.
But when Cain's hell-directed blow
A second curse on nature brought,
Then from the ground that blood first drank
Rose unaccustom'd vapours; rank,
And pregnant with mephitic dews;
Which, falling on the wreath, soon wrought
A change so piteous Hope shed tears,
While Pity kiss'd them off, Hope's fears
Soothing, while sigh'd herself with woe.
And as the wreath flow'rs chang'd their hues,
Their subtle, sickly, essence through
Love's frame stole fatally and fast:
The fever'd boy romantic grew,
Wanton and wild, and flush'd and fierce;
Now languish'd and then look'd aghast,
Then wail'd, till echo caught his tones;
Rocks, caves, and wilds, renew'd his moans,
And ne'er did such the bosom pierce.
A second curse on nature brought,
Then from the ground that blood first drank
Rose unaccustom'd vapours; rank,
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Which, falling on the wreath, soon wrought
A change so piteous Hope shed tears,
While Pity kiss'd them off, Hope's fears
Soothing, while sigh'd herself with woe.
And as the wreath flow'rs chang'd their hues,
Their subtle, sickly, essence through
Love's frame stole fatally and fast:
The fever'd boy romantic grew,
Wanton and wild, and flush'd and fierce;
Now languish'd and then look'd aghast,
Then wail'd, till echo caught his tones;
Rocks, caves, and wilds, renew'd his moans,
And ne'er did such the bosom pierce.
Weep for Love! for his wreath is fading,
The wreath that Hope fondly wove,
When sorrow, his bosom pervading,
Made pensive the eyes of Love.
O, how he rejoic'd in its blooming,
Those flowers so fragrant and fair!
Now, blight all their beauties consuming,
O, weep for Love's sad despair.
The wreath that Hope fondly wove,
When sorrow, his bosom pervading,
Made pensive the eyes of Love.
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Those flowers so fragrant and fair!
Now, blight all their beauties consuming,
O, weep for Love's sad despair.
Weep for Love! echo mourns his wailing,
How piteous her replies!
O, weep, for Love's strength is failing,
And bitter his tears and sighs.
Away cruel Hope is flying,
Who sooth'd all his sorrows before;
Weep, Pity! for Love is dying,
And Nature will smile no more.
How piteous her replies!
O, weep, for Love's strength is failing,
And bitter his tears and sighs.
Away cruel Hope is flying,
Who sooth'd all his sorrows before;
Weep, Pity! for Love is dying,
And Nature will smile no more.
Thus Nature Hope and Pity woo'd;
While Love, all-fitful, from his hair
Snatch'd the distemper'd wreath; to tear
Its flowers asunder, and abroad
Scatter them wildly; to elude
Their fascination; when, behold,
Appear'd a cloud of lucid gold,
And Love was to submission aw'd.
The cloud disparted, Hope came down,
Surveying Love with transient frown—
For frowns from Hope's mild brow flee fast
As breath on purest diamonds cast,
Which but an instant shades their light,
Passes, and brightness seems more bright.
Love trembling stood, with shame and fear;
His meek defence a gushing tear;
Hope took his lyre, and thus she sung,
With cheering smile, and soothing tongue.
While Love, all-fitful, from his hair
Snatch'd the distemper'd wreath; to tear
Its flowers asunder, and abroad
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Their fascination; when, behold,
Appear'd a cloud of lucid gold,
And Love was to submission aw'd.
The cloud disparted, Hope came down,
Surveying Love with transient frown—
For frowns from Hope's mild brow flee fast
As breath on purest diamonds cast,
Which but an instant shades their light,
Passes, and brightness seems more bright.
Love trembling stood, with shame and fear;
His meek defence a gushing tear;
Hope took his lyre, and thus she sung,
With cheering smile, and soothing tongue.
“Dry, O Love, those eyes beguiling,
Rid from sighs that heaving breast;
Eyes so bright were made for smiling,
Heart so fond to be at rest.
Rid from sighs that heaving breast;
Eyes so bright were made for smiling,
Heart so fond to be at rest.
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“Briers and blossoms grow together;
Grief to temper Joy was born;
Shall we leave the rose to wither
Lest our fingers feel the thorn?
Grief to temper Joy was born;
Shall we leave the rose to wither
Lest our fingers feel the thorn?
“Slight the thorn and seize the flower,
Wear it proudly on your breast;
Hope to heal will give it power;
Love again shall be at rest.”
Wear it proudly on your breast;
Hope to heal will give it power;
Love again shall be at rest.”
Love, thus sooth'd, a furtive glance
At Hope directed; then withdrew
His bashful eyes; yet look'd askance,
Still contending with his fears.
But Hope's soft eyes of radiant blue
Wooing his, with friendly wiles,
His, no longer flush'd with weeping,
Were hers coquettishly evading;
Till, provok'd by her persuading,
O'er Love's soft cheeks consenting smiles,
Like Spring's light morning rays' first peeping,
With sweet and timid progress stole;
Then, like the radiance of the soul
Thro' his eyes beaming, charmed away his tears.
Brighten'd his eyes, his cheek rebloom'd;
He gave his gladden'd heart its scope,
Kissing the wreath that he resum'd;
Then sigh'd and blush'd,
And, smiling, rush'd
Into the guardian arms of Hope.
At Hope directed; then withdrew
His bashful eyes; yet look'd askance,
Still contending with his fears.
But Hope's soft eyes of radiant blue
Wooing his, with friendly wiles,
His, no longer flush'd with weeping,
Were hers coquettishly evading;
Till, provok'd by her persuading,
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Like Spring's light morning rays' first peeping,
With sweet and timid progress stole;
Then, like the radiance of the soul
Thro' his eyes beaming, charmed away his tears.
Brighten'd his eyes, his cheek rebloom'd;
He gave his gladden'd heart its scope,
Kissing the wreath that he resum'd;
Then sigh'd and blush'd,
And, smiling, rush'd
Into the guardian arms of Hope.
So have I seen some petted child,
Some dimpled cherub, cross'd in will,
Grow dogged, sullen, wayward, wild;
While Love maternal tried its skill
To lull the puny storm of ire
Which from its eyes flash'd scornful fire,
But tried in vain; till nature's course,
Like sudden gust, had spent its force;
Then frowning, pouting, sobbing, pride
Caress repell'd and lure defied;
Till all the little arts to win
Which doting mothers learn and love,
Now coaxing, kissing, tickling, smiling,
And feigning tears, at length begin
The little impotent to move:
From whom, at first, a stolen look,
With pouting lips and winking eyes,
Discloses scorn rebuke to brook,
Yet some relenting. Fresh beguiling
Excites faint, transient, faithless smiles,
By frowns succeeded; till a leer
Maidenly bashful, with a little laugh—
Half from constraint, from pleasure half—
By fondling arts extorted, tells
The triumph of affection near;
And soon no more its bosom swells;
But gazing on the mother's face,
Arch fondness in its eyes express'd,
Its arms extending for embrace,
It springs, and nestles in her breast.
Some dimpled cherub, cross'd in will,
Grow dogged, sullen, wayward, wild;
While Love maternal tried its skill
To lull the puny storm of ire
Which from its eyes flash'd scornful fire,
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Like sudden gust, had spent its force;
Then frowning, pouting, sobbing, pride
Caress repell'd and lure defied;
Till all the little arts to win
Which doting mothers learn and love,
Now coaxing, kissing, tickling, smiling,
And feigning tears, at length begin
The little impotent to move:
From whom, at first, a stolen look,
With pouting lips and winking eyes,
Discloses scorn rebuke to brook,
Yet some relenting. Fresh beguiling
Excites faint, transient, faithless smiles,
By frowns succeeded; till a leer
Maidenly bashful, with a little laugh—
Half from constraint, from pleasure half—
By fondling arts extorted, tells
The triumph of affection near;
And soon no more its bosom swells;
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Arch fondness in its eyes express'd,
Its arms extending for embrace,
It springs, and nestles in her breast.
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CANTO THIRD.
When Cain forsook the sons of God,
Mark'd for abhorrence, scar'd by guilt,
Fleeing (to hide himself in Nod)
The voice of that pure blood he spilt,
Love dwelt near Eden; Eden's clime
Preserv'd his wreath without a blight.
He smil'd with Hope, with flowers crown'd Time,
And he was youthful Time's delight;
Long, to capricious thoughts ne'er given,
He dwelt with joy, and earth seem'd heaven.
Mark'd for abhorrence, scar'd by guilt,
Fleeing (to hide himself in Nod)
The voice of that pure blood he spilt,
Love dwelt near Eden; Eden's clime
Preserv'd his wreath without a blight.
He smil'd with Hope, with flowers crown'd Time,
And he was youthful Time's delight;
Long, to capricious thoughts ne'er given,
He dwelt with joy, and earth seem'd heaven.
As Time grew older, men grew worse,
And tainted Love grew worse with man;
Spread then the evils of that curse
Which Adam drew upon his race;
To stray from Eden men began,
Wearied by constant resting place.
Love wander'd too; his sickly flowers
Infected him with wanton aims;
Insatiate wishes marr'd his hours,
And—like a wilful child, that claims
All it sees, yet, had it all,
“More” would be still its peevish call,
Through wish too peevish to be blest—
Love's fretful mind was ne'er at rest,
He knew not why. When Babel fell,
And men, confounded, were dispers'd,
With differing tongues, to different lands,
Love's tongue intuitively was vers'd
In every language; he could tell,
Amid the strifes of alter'd speech,
What each man said, could answer each—
Who but Love's language understands?
'Tis nature's voice, her children all
With rapture hasten to its call,
And never can, where'er they sprung,
Forget or slight their mother-tongue.
And tainted Love grew worse with man;
Spread then the evils of that curse
Which Adam drew upon his race;
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Wearied by constant resting place.
Love wander'd too; his sickly flowers
Infected him with wanton aims;
Insatiate wishes marr'd his hours,
And—like a wilful child, that claims
All it sees, yet, had it all,
“More” would be still its peevish call,
Through wish too peevish to be blest—
Love's fretful mind was ne'er at rest,
He knew not why. When Babel fell,
And men, confounded, were dispers'd,
With differing tongues, to different lands,
Love's tongue intuitively was vers'd
In every language; he could tell,
Amid the strifes of alter'd speech,
What each man said, could answer each—
Who but Love's language understands?
'Tis nature's voice, her children all
With rapture hasten to its call,
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Forget or slight their mother-tongue.
When craven appetites rul'd earth,
And many a monstrous crime had birth,
Love so distemper'd grew he seem'd
Approaching to insanity;
Of Eden's bowers he talk'd and dream'd,
But talk'd and dream'd with vanity;
For Eden's Hope had left her love,
And he to unblest bowers would rove;
Had lost his wreath; a wreath he made,
Alas! made new ones every day;
For every night the flowers would fade—
And who was Love his wreath away?
For, O, so alter'd was he grown,
Love only by his wreath was known;
Orgies he sought; his pains ne'er cease—
He pin'd for Hope, he sigh'd for Peace;
Till overcome with rankling care,
He took his lyre, whose golden strings
He long had broken in despair;
And strings by Jubal made now strung
Its tarnish'd frame; to which he oft had sung
Lascivious odes; but now he sings
A lay to Hope; and, while he sang,
The lyre was harsh:—but Jubal sprang
From Cain's infected race; could he
Invent such chords for melody
As Heaven's own Hope? Ah, no!—Love sings,
While sighs and tears oft check his words;
And well his faltering tone accords
With the faint voices of the strings.
And many a monstrous crime had birth,
Love so distemper'd grew he seem'd
Approaching to insanity;
Of Eden's bowers he talk'd and dream'd,
But talk'd and dream'd with vanity;
For Eden's Hope had left her love,
And he to unblest bowers would rove;
Had lost his wreath; a wreath he made,
Alas! made new ones every day;
For every night the flowers would fade—
And who was Love his wreath away?
For, O, so alter'd was he grown,
Love only by his wreath was known;
Orgies he sought; his pains ne'er cease—
He pin'd for Hope, he sigh'd for Peace;
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He took his lyre, whose golden strings
He long had broken in despair;
And strings by Jubal made now strung
Its tarnish'd frame; to which he oft had sung
Lascivious odes; but now he sings
A lay to Hope; and, while he sang,
The lyre was harsh:—but Jubal sprang
From Cain's infected race; could he
Invent such chords for melody
As Heaven's own Hope? Ah, no!—Love sings,
While sighs and tears oft check his words;
And well his faltering tone accords
With the faint voices of the strings.
Hope, for ever art thou flown?
Wilt thou ev'ry pray'r deny?
All is drear when thou art gone,
All delight when thou art by.
Let Love's tears thy pity move,
Ere I die one smile impart;
Losing Hope, ah! what is love?
Haste and heal my breaking heart.
Beloved Hope, no longer flee;
Thou art all of life to me.
Wilt thou ev'ry pray'r deny?
All is drear when thou art gone,
All delight when thou art by.
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Ere I die one smile impart;
Losing Hope, ah! what is love?
Haste and heal my breaking heart.
Beloved Hope, no longer flee;
Thou art all of life to me.
Mov'd by ev'ry wind that blows,
Rocks the cedar through the day;
The bee to wither leaves the rose,
Having stol'n its sweets away.
Like the cedar restless I;
Fears are winds, and I the tree;
Like the pilfer'd flow'r I die;
All life's sweetness gone with thee!
Beloved Hope, no longer flee;
Thou art all of life to me.
Rocks the cedar through the day;
The bee to wither leaves the rose,
Having stol'n its sweets away.
Like the cedar restless I;
Fears are winds, and I the tree;
Like the pilfer'd flow'r I die;
All life's sweetness gone with thee!
Beloved Hope, no longer flee;
Thou art all of life to me.
Does yon lovely cloud I view
Veil thee, 'tis so heavenly bright?
Beam thy smiles its softness through,
'Tis so rich with golden light?
Art thou coming from above?
Haste! O, never let us part!
Losing Hope, ah! what is love?
Haste and heal my breaking heart.
Beloved Hope, no longer flee;
Thou art all of life to me.
Veil thee, 'tis so heavenly bright?
Beam thy smiles its softness through,
'Tis so rich with golden light?
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Haste! O, never let us part!
Losing Hope, ah! what is love?
Haste and heal my breaking heart.
Beloved Hope, no longer flee;
Thou art all of life to me.
A strain celestial floated through the air,
And Hope thus sang, for radiant Hope was there,
But sang unseen—
And Hope thus sang, for radiant Hope was there,
But sang unseen—
“Wreathe thy brow with former flowers.
Peace shall in thy bosom reign;
Found the wreath of Eden's bowers,
Hope will smile on Love again.”
Peace shall in thy bosom reign;
Found the wreath of Eden's bowers,
Hope will smile on Love again.”
She ceas'd. Love gaz'd upon the cloud
With strained eyes; but all its light
Quick was envelop'd by a shroud
Dark as the frowning of the night;
There standing mute and trembling, he
Was lost in tearless agony.
As when some youth who dearly lov'd
And dearly was belov'd again,
When death the maiden has remov'd,
And all his fondest hopes are vain;
When o'er her corse death's tire-men throw
The sable and heart-chilling pall;
O! how he stands with speechless woe,
As if it shut out heaven and all
From his poor bursting heart:—so Love,
For Hope was gone.—
With strained eyes; but all its light
Quick was envelop'd by a shroud
Dark as the frowning of the night;
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Was lost in tearless agony.
As when some youth who dearly lov'd
And dearly was belov'd again,
When death the maiden has remov'd,
And all his fondest hopes are vain;
When o'er her corse death's tire-men throw
The sable and heart-chilling pall;
O! how he stands with speechless woe,
As if it shut out heaven and all
From his poor bursting heart:—so Love,
For Hope was gone.—
Wak'd from his trance, the wreath he tore
That morning woven, to atone
For having worn it; vow'd no more
To wear one till he found his own;
Then, heartless, wander'd up and down,
With sigh and tear and sullen frown,
Seeking his wreath—as seeks some child
His favourite bird, which heedlessly
He let escape: then wanders he
Around the garden, making moan;
To every bird he sees alight
Steals softly, thinking it his own:
Ere his approach the bird has flown;
And still he finds, by Hope beguil'd,
But vain regrets his search requite.
That morning woven, to atone
For having worn it; vow'd no more
To wear one till he found his own;
Then, heartless, wander'd up and down,
With sigh and tear and sullen frown,
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His favourite bird, which heedlessly
He let escape: then wanders he
Around the garden, making moan;
To every bird he sees alight
Steals softly, thinking it his own:
Ere his approach the bird has flown;
And still he finds, by Hope beguil'd,
But vain regrets his search requite.
So wander'd Love; and when he found
A youth or maiden garland-crown'd
He sought his wreath on either head—
But vainly sought: nor left he spot
Mem'ry supplied unvisited.
He sought his wreath, but found it not;
Then wearied, vex'd, desponding grew,
And hid himself in woods and caves.
Whene'er he came to stream or brook,
And of himself a transient look
Obtain'd, he from the mirror flew,
As fear flees things it shapes by graves;
Weeping to see himself so chang'd;
Weeping that Hope herself estrang'd;
And, Time and he no longer friends,
None soothing with his anguish blends!
A youth or maiden garland-crown'd
He sought his wreath on either head—
But vainly sought: nor left he spot
Mem'ry supplied unvisited.
He sought his wreath, but found it not;
Then wearied, vex'd, desponding grew,
And hid himself in woods and caves.
Whene'er he came to stream or brook,
And of himself a transient look
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As fear flees things it shapes by graves;
Weeping to see himself so chang'd;
Weeping that Hope herself estrang'd;
And, Time and he no longer friends,
None soothing with his anguish blends!
Mankind had now offended Heaven
Too flagrantly to be forgiven;
And hence the flood, by vengeance stor'd,
O'erwhelming on the earth was pour'd.
Men sought not Love; he sought not them,
Nor heard of Hope, nor found his wreath.
Love in the world was like a gem
Hidden some ruin'd heap beneath.
He wept, and bitter were his tears;
Yet ofttimes would he think them sweet,
And fancy they allay'd his fears;
And, in his vision, Hope he'd meet;
And sweet to all such tears must prove
As then, subdued, shed pining Love;
Repentance urg'd them, whose whole scope
Is to restore to man lost Hope.
Too flagrantly to be forgiven;
And hence the flood, by vengeance stor'd,
O'erwhelming on the earth was pour'd.
Men sought not Love; he sought not them,
Nor heard of Hope, nor found his wreath.
Love in the world was like a gem
Hidden some ruin'd heap beneath.
He wept, and bitter were his tears;
Yet ofttimes would he think them sweet,
And fancy they allay'd his fears;
And, in his vision, Hope he'd meet;
And sweet to all such tears must prove
As then, subdued, shed pining Love;
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Is to restore to man lost Hope.
Love, on a day, on Hope had mus'd,
While Hope unseen companion'd Love:
A moment Love felt all confus'd,
Swoon'd, and awoke:—a milk-white dove,
And perch'd upon a myrtle tree,
What time the ark good Noah sought;
And therein with him went the dove,
Wond'ring if e'er rechang'd to be.
Into the ark the dove was brought,
And there he found—the wreath of Love.
Some pure, kind heart of Noah's line
Had found and kept it; for the flowers
Breath'd forth a fragrance so divine
It savour'd not of earthly bowers.
While Hope unseen companion'd Love:
A moment Love felt all confus'd,
Swoon'd, and awoke:—a milk-white dove,
And perch'd upon a myrtle tree,
What time the ark good Noah sought;
And therein with him went the dove,
Wond'ring if e'er rechang'd to be.
Into the ark the dove was brought,
And there he found—the wreath of Love.
Some pure, kind heart of Noah's line
Had found and kept it; for the flowers
Breath'd forth a fragrance so divine
It savour'd not of earthly bowers.
When Noah sent abroad the dove,
That bird was (Fancy whisper'd) Love;
And Hope, though coy to Love, yet kind,
Taught him the olive-leaf to find,
Emblem of peace to Love and Man.
The ark now rested; Nature smil'd;
Time's second æra now began.
Love was rechang'd—a lovely child;
But still his silken pinions wore:
For Love's commission was to soar
And bathe him in his native skies,
To wash off his impurities;
Then through the world his way pursue,
To win all hearts and bless them too.
That bird was (Fancy whisper'd) Love;
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Taught him the olive-leaf to find,
Emblem of peace to Love and Man.
The ark now rested; Nature smil'd;
Time's second æra now began.
Love was rechang'd—a lovely child;
But still his silken pinions wore:
For Love's commission was to soar
And bathe him in his native skies,
To wash off his impurities;
Then through the world his way pursue,
To win all hearts and bless them too.
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CANTO FOURTH.
A new world rose, with Love at rest;
His wreath more blooming and more sweet
Than when 'twas lost. He Hope espied
Come smiling on him, like Spring's morn
Life-beaming—as some youth forlorn,
To see the maid he loves denied,
Through grave occasion should he meet
The fair one, pity in her breast—
Love's eager charity—her face
Bright'ning with smiles; as o'er the chase
Flee shadows when the sun-beams dart,
So vanish terrors from his heart;
And kisses that with transport burn
Tell heart for heart, and Love's return.
The youth's experience, more sublim'd,
Felt Love, Hope's grace so kindly tim'd.
His thoughts all soft and brilliant grew,
As early health sees morning dew
Catching the sun-rays, like a glass
Reflecting loveliness, all bright
With every hue obtain'd from light;
The drops seem gems strew'd o'er the grass.
Love flew to Hope; sweet pardon's kiss
Brought grateful tears, and all was bliss.
His wreath more blooming and more sweet
Than when 'twas lost. He Hope espied
Come smiling on him, like Spring's morn
Life-beaming—as some youth forlorn,
To see the maid he loves denied,
Through grave occasion should he meet
The fair one, pity in her breast—
Love's eager charity—her face
Bright'ning with smiles; as o'er the chase
Flee shadows when the sun-beams dart,
So vanish terrors from his heart;
And kisses that with transport burn
Tell heart for heart, and Love's return.
The youth's experience, more sublim'd,
Felt Love, Hope's grace so kindly tim'd.
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As early health sees morning dew
Catching the sun-rays, like a glass
Reflecting loveliness, all bright
With every hue obtain'd from light;
The drops seem gems strew'd o'er the grass.
Love flew to Hope; sweet pardon's kiss
Brought grateful tears, and all was bliss.
As Time still older grew, on earth
Men multiplied, till regions vast
Were amply peopled; good and ill
Flourish'd, but with unequal birth;
That with the flow'rs for increase class'd,
But this with all things else which fill
Creation's bound: where either cause
Rul'd paramount, the ambient air,
Impregnated, was foul or pure;
And where good triumph'd all was fair;
As good for ever blessing draws,
While evil can no bliss ensure.
Men multiplied, till regions vast
Were amply peopled; good and ill
Flourish'd, but with unequal birth;
That with the flow'rs for increase class'd,
But this with all things else which fill
Creation's bound: where either cause
Rul'd paramount, the ambient air,
Impregnated, was foul or pure;
And where good triumph'd all was fair;
As good for ever blessing draws,
While evil can no bliss ensure.
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The lovely flowers of virtue shed
Eden's celestial fragrance round,
And health (through inspiration) spread;
But where the weeds of vice abound,
From them obnoxious vapours rise,
And foul, mephitic breath disperse,
Which taints men's hearts and blinds their eyes;
For all ill generates is curse!
Love trac'd the earth, and, foul or fair,
His wreath was emblem of the air;
As Hope perverse or ductile found
Capricious Love she smil'd or frown'd.
Eden's celestial fragrance round,
And health (through inspiration) spread;
But where the weeds of vice abound,
From them obnoxious vapours rise,
And foul, mephitic breath disperse,
Which taints men's hearts and blinds their eyes;
For all ill generates is curse!
Love trac'd the earth, and, foul or fair,
His wreath was emblem of the air;
As Hope perverse or ductile found
Capricious Love she smil'd or frown'd.
Love wing'd his flight creation round:
Where'er he came, in ev'ry clime,
'Twas ever Nature's holiday;
Roses were scatter'd in his way,
Though ever with them briers were found.
But, oh! his wreath foretold decay;
For Love grew vain, as old grew Time;
Since every knee before him bow'd,
His will became a holy law;
And of such homage Love grew proud;
Treated weak mortals as his slaves;
Which fail'd not upon Love to draw
Enmity, and resistance stern.
But vain the efforts of his foes:
Wisdom, strength, valour, had to learn
The power their daring would oppose;
For vain is he Love's power who braves.
Wisdom an arrant fool he made;
The boasts of Valour he defied,
And sent him writhing from the field;
When giant Strength his prowess tried
He prov'd to Love as chaff to fire.
Sages and monarchs forc'd to yield,
None dar'd against his will conspire,
And all the wreathed Love obey'd.
Where'er he came, in ev'ry clime,
'Twas ever Nature's holiday;
Roses were scatter'd in his way,
Though ever with them briers were found.
But, oh! his wreath foretold decay;
For Love grew vain, as old grew Time;
220
His will became a holy law;
And of such homage Love grew proud;
Treated weak mortals as his slaves;
Which fail'd not upon Love to draw
Enmity, and resistance stern.
But vain the efforts of his foes:
Wisdom, strength, valour, had to learn
The power their daring would oppose;
For vain is he Love's power who braves.
Wisdom an arrant fool he made;
The boasts of Valour he defied,
And sent him writhing from the field;
When giant Strength his prowess tried
He prov'd to Love as chaff to fire.
Sages and monarchs forc'd to yield,
None dar'd against his will conspire,
And all the wreathed Love obey'd.
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Invested with such sovereign power,
“O'er all the peopled world” his sway;
Ebriate, he would the despot play,
Using his sceptre as a rod;
Till, with conceit inflated grown,
He deem'd the subject world his own;
And in a rash and frantic hour—
For Hope was far—assum'd the god,
And altars claim'd; his victims there
Were those he shot with bow and darts,
And on his altars every where
Were offer'd up their bleeding hearts.
“O'er all the peopled world” his sway;
Ebriate, he would the despot play,
Using his sceptre as a rod;
Till, with conceit inflated grown,
He deem'd the subject world his own;
And in a rash and frantic hour—
For Hope was far—assum'd the god,
And altars claim'd; his victims there
Were those he shot with bow and darts,
And on his altars every where
Were offer'd up their bleeding hearts.
To punish Love—immortal he;
Hence none could him destroy or bind—
Mad Passion came: with philters she
Hectic made Love, and—Love grew blind!
And all the roses of his wreath
Grew pallid, through her feverish breath;
And Love, in darkness since that day,
Has been by Passion led astray.
Humbled, the god no more he feign'd;
Hope he implor'd, but call'd in vain;
Wond'ring, in darkness he remain'd,
And, weeping, sung a plaintive strain:
His tears, from eyes unblest with sight,
Seem'd like dew falling from sad night.
Hence none could him destroy or bind—
Mad Passion came: with philters she
Hectic made Love, and—Love grew blind!
And all the roses of his wreath
Grew pallid, through her feverish breath;
And Love, in darkness since that day,
Has been by Passion led astray.
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Hope he implor'd, but call'd in vain;
Wond'ring, in darkness he remain'd,
And, weeping, sung a plaintive strain:
His tears, from eyes unblest with sight,
Seem'd like dew falling from sad night.
Shall I view thee, sun, no more?
Never more be bless'd with sight?
Yes, my dreams shall day restore,
And I shall bathe my eyes in light.
Yet, awaking from the dream,
O, what pangs will rack my mind!
Guided by no friendly beam,
Love, alas! alas! is blind.
Never more be bless'd with sight?
Yes, my dreams shall day restore,
And I shall bathe my eyes in light.
Yet, awaking from the dream,
O, what pangs will rack my mind!
Guided by no friendly beam,
Love, alas! alas! is blind.
Roses, by your odour led,
As music leads the tuneful ear,
I shall find your fragrant bed,
But not to me one rose appear.
Sun, on me thy rays will shine,
I their warmth alone shall find;
Thine is day, but night is mine—
Love, alas! alas! is blind.
As music leads the tuneful ear,
I shall find your fragrant bed,
But not to me one rose appear.
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I their warmth alone shall find;
Thine is day, but night is mine—
Love, alas! alas! is blind.
Hope, mine eyes were blue like thine;
Morn, like thine, my eyes were bright;
Would thy star, sweet morn, were mine,
To cheer me in this starless night.
Farewell Hope! but still to thee
I'll fondly sing, thou dear unkind!
Yet ever must the burthen be
Love, alas! alas! is blind.
Morn, like thine, my eyes were bright;
Would thy star, sweet morn, were mine,
To cheer me in this starless night.
Farewell Hope! but still to thee
I'll fondly sing, thou dear unkind!
Yet ever must the burthen be
Love, alas! alas! is blind.
But Love, though humbled, blind and sad,
The homage kept of every heart:
Poesy sang to make him glad,
And Music join'd her magic art,
Vainly, till with them Time combin'd:
His healing opiate calm'd Love's mind;
And Love smil'd—sighing—for afar
Was Hope, his light, his leading star.
The homage kept of every heart:
Poesy sang to make him glad,
And Music join'd her magic art,
Vainly, till with them Time combin'd:
His healing opiate calm'd Love's mind;
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Was Hope, his light, his leading star.
Hope, relenting, Love soon cheer'd,
And for her absence wrought amends;
She kiss'd his sweet extinguish'd eyes—
And 'tis as if the soul to kiss
When kissing eyes—his eyes she kiss'd;
And chas'd the tears that would arise:
Yet some, as loath to be dismiss'd,
Stood trembling in them, and appear'd
Like lov'd companions, robb'd of bliss,
Ling'ring o'er dear departed friends.
And for her absence wrought amends;
She kiss'd his sweet extinguish'd eyes—
And 'tis as if the soul to kiss
When kissing eyes—his eyes she kiss'd;
And chas'd the tears that would arise:
Yet some, as loath to be dismiss'd,
Stood trembling in them, and appear'd
Like lov'd companions, robb'd of bliss,
Ling'ring o'er dear departed friends.
Hope sooth'd her Love, and for his sight
Gave him a beam of inward light,
By which he saw a secret guide
To lead him; Hope, too, at his side,
Fear to dispel and lull his pain;
She said on earth he must remain,
For what were life when wanting Love?
Told him his wreath would be a charm
To soothe each sensitive alarm,
If for his type he took the dove;
But bloom no more like Eden's flowers
Till Love return'd to Eden's bowers;
For there, she said, he would alight,
And Eden's glories bless his sight,
When Time expir'd.—Hence, lovers cross'd
And parted, thinking they have lost
Their hearts' sole Eden, day by day,
Are ever wishing time away.
Gave him a beam of inward light,
By which he saw a secret guide
To lead him; Hope, too, at his side,
Fear to dispel and lull his pain;
She said on earth he must remain,
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Told him his wreath would be a charm
To soothe each sensitive alarm,
If for his type he took the dove;
But bloom no more like Eden's flowers
Till Love return'd to Eden's bowers;
For there, she said, he would alight,
And Eden's glories bless his sight,
When Time expir'd.—Hence, lovers cross'd
And parted, thinking they have lost
Their hearts' sole Eden, day by day,
Are ever wishing time away.
She bade him of caprice beware,
And use his golden bow and darts;
Changing their nature, by her skill,
To give sweet wounds, yet never kill,
But give affection's thrill to hearts.
Lovers she vow'd to make her care
When love shot wisely; but, as men,
Adoring, would his altars throng,
Turning a blessing to a God,
They of their sin must reap the fruit,
And that they worshipp'd prove their rod;
So, when Love shot his darts again,
Since blind, at random he must shoot,
And random shafts oft wound the wrong.
Hence Lovers to this hour oft find,
When tied the knot, that Love is blind.
And use his golden bow and darts;
Changing their nature, by her skill,
To give sweet wounds, yet never kill,
But give affection's thrill to hearts.
Lovers she vow'd to make her care
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Adoring, would his altars throng,
Turning a blessing to a God,
They of their sin must reap the fruit,
And that they worshipp'd prove their rod;
So, when Love shot his darts again,
Since blind, at random he must shoot,
And random shafts oft wound the wrong.
Hence Lovers to this hour oft find,
When tied the knot, that Love is blind.
Each secret wish let reason move,
She'll guard from every erring dart,
Guiding the kindliest to the heart;
Then will the marriage garland prove
The gift of Hope, the Wreath of Love.
She'll guard from every erring dart,
Guiding the kindliest to the heart;
Then will the marriage garland prove
The gift of Hope, the Wreath of Love.
| Comic Tales and Lyrical Fancies | |