University of Virginia Library

EXTRACTS FROM A SMALL POEM, written by the Author called Rodolski.

Describe will I, a ruined tower,
Where sing the birds of night
Or some damp-dew'd lonely bower—
Beneath the meteors flight.
Where whistling winds—that pierce the heart,
And cavern'd echo's round—
A foreboding dread impart—
Repeating every sound;
When the heavy rain drops fall
From the high beech tree,
And frown the night-clouds like a pall,
And fiery light'nings flee;
And here, and there, from out the pile—
Half ruin'd—where it stand,
And mouldering—to its native soil
—Half even—with the land;

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There,—on the moss-o'er—grown wall,
And in a ruin'd bower—
A fountain play'd—with silver fall—
And echoed—thro' the tower.
Interlaced—the moon appears—
With clouds that float in air—
And as she—her crescent—rears—
The clouds—the west winds bear.
She trembles o'er the dark—green vale—
And lights the Hermit of the dale—
Majestic shines—the nights fair lamp,
Through misty fogs—and vap'ry damp—
Unconquer'd thou—by earthly light—
Hail!—fair regent of the night!
Where rivers through the green fields wind
And gently murmur round—
Ruffled by the western-wind—
O'er pebble studded ground;
Or waft the roses balmy sigh
To some sequester'd glade
Ascend the azure concave high—
Perfume the olive shade.

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The night crept on with spreading wing—
That seem'd to shade the air—
While the mournful night-birds sing
And tune their sad song there.
Still was the air—still as the grave—
Still—as the ashes of the brave—
Where in the tomb forgotten lay—
Men mould'ring to their native clay.
What light is that—along the plain?
Aurora—now begins her reign!—
With wonted grace—and roseate hand—
She gilds yon distant mount!—
And draws the night dews from the land,
Reflected in the fount.
She radiant comes—her glory shines
On cities—temples—gardens—shrines.
Goddess of the orient dawn!—
Deity—of purple morn!
Hear my song—my soul inspire!—
And waft unto me—Phoebus' fire.
The sun rose bright—in golden orb—
The vap'ry night damps to absorb;
He rose—in golden panobly—
That mark'd his glorious course on high;—

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He rose—on steeple—tower—and dome—
He rose—upon the bulbul's home—
Where he tunes his mournful lay
Nor ceases—but at dawn of day.
With gold—he tinted every mount—
Shone reflected, in the sea—
Smiled upon each murmuring fount—
But—Rodolski—not on thee!
From Lesta's chamber—you might see—
Stamboul—not far away—
And darkening groves of olive tree—
That seem'd to shade the day.
A veil o'er Lesta—lightly wreath'd
And moved as gentle zephyr breath'd;—
A purple robe that waved around—
By myrtle wreath was loosely bound—
Her brow—with fairest roses—crown'd.