Avolio ; a legend of the island of Cos :: :: University of Virginia Library

Through dismal nights, and long laborious days,
A weary Workman at the forge of Thought,
He toils, till brain and spirit overwrought,
Sink to enforced inaction, and the maze
Of troublous dreams;—no nimble Fancy plays
Her necromantic tricks which lead to naught
But stale delusions; bitter years have taught
His heart the hollowness of casual praise;
And yet, even this poor boon's denied him now;—
Bound by Convention's hard and galling rule,
He must subdue his nature, smooth his brow,
List meekly while an ignorant Pedant speaks,
And though the hot blood boils from soul to cheeks,
Pay homage to a tyrant, and a fool!

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A LIFE-HISTORY,—BRIEFLY TOLD.

I.

In the saddening light of the Autumn stars,
Half hidden behind those lattice-bars,—
I mark the flush of her ringlets bright
Gleam faintly forth on the misty night;

II.

Her face is pale, and I barely see
That her looks are bended mournfully
On what, perchance, is the image of One,
Who, dying,—left her hopes undone!

III.

Poor girl! she had given her best, her all,—
And now her heart like a funeral pall
Holds only a thought of the silent dead,
Of the grace that is lost, and the love that's fled.

238

TO G. C. H.

I.

I know not where thou art my Friend,
But tender thoughts arise, and wend
Their way to thee, where'er thou art;
No distance chills the loyal heart.

II.

If ocean breezes fan thy cheek,
Oh, may their breath be mild and meek,
And every wind that stirs the sea
Come like a mother's kiss to thee!

III.

Or if, the mighty billows past,
Thy eager feet have touched at last
That glorious realm which filled thy dreams,
While pondering by our Western streams,

IV.

May all those antique scenes be bright
As when beheld in Fancy's light,

239

So that thy soul may haply chance
To wander still with old Romance.

V.

Once, the delicious hope was mine
To blend a traveller's joys with thine,
From farthest frith of Northern sea,
To the fair fields of Italy:

VI.

But Fate stepped in with stern command,
And bound me to this barren land;—
What matter?—though by Fate denied,
No Power can keep me from thy side.