 | [Poems by Payne in] John Howard Payne ... his life and writings |  |
STAR-GAZING:
AN EXCHANGE OF “IDLE THOUGHTS.”
Like thee, I love the stars. In distant climes
I've stood alone and watch'd them; and have thought
I saw the spirits of departed friends
Smile in their loveliness; and then would dream
That some, not yet departed but far off,
Gazed with me on them; and that I could feel
Their glance of kindness in the gentle light
Which cast its sweet spell round me. Then there seem'd
A music in the sphere, to charm away
The serpent sorrows gnawing at my heart,
Till, one by one, they dropp'd their demon hold,
And left me, all alone with contemplation,
Like thee, to love the stars.
I've stood alone and watch'd them; and have thought
I saw the spirits of departed friends
Smile in their loveliness; and then would dream
319
Gazed with me on them; and that I could feel
Their glance of kindness in the gentle light
Which cast its sweet spell round me. Then there seem'd
A music in the sphere, to charm away
The serpent sorrows gnawing at my heart,
Till, one by one, they dropp'd their demon hold,
And left me, all alone with contemplation,
Like thee, to love the stars.
Like thee, I love the stars. And thou hast made
Their radiance dearer yet. The poetry
Of thy imaginings, like sunbeams flung
Upon the waterfall, has wrapp'd those stars
In colors new and beautiful; and now
O'er me bring visions of deeper power:
They call the mighty from their monuments;
They fill the sky with old historic wonders;
And, all commingling with the thoughts of her
Whose wand has wak'd this witchery, my soul
Swells with the blended glories, and I thrill
Like thee, to love the stars.
Their radiance dearer yet. The poetry
Of thy imaginings, like sunbeams flung
Upon the waterfall, has wrapp'd those stars
In colors new and beautiful; and now
O'er me bring visions of deeper power:
They call the mighty from their monuments;
They fill the sky with old historic wonders;
And, all commingling with the thoughts of her
Whose wand has wak'd this witchery, my soul
Swells with the blended glories, and I thrill
Like thee, to love the stars.
Like thee, I love the stars, and yet my fortunes
Have often seem'd to tell me, “Do not love them,
But give them hate for hate!” They never bless me;
They hurl'd me forth on thwarted hopes, false friends,
And left me to those triumphs from the little
Which make the spirit wither up in scorn,—
But I can have no quarrel with them now,
Since one has risen o'er me in the west
Whose gentle beauty speaks for all the rest.
Shine on, sweet star! still let me feel thy light.
For, though I know that light is not for me,
I would not have thy pity cloud the spell,
Whate'er its peril, which has taught me here,
In thee, to love the stars.
Have often seem'd to tell me, “Do not love them,
But give them hate for hate!” They never bless me;
They hurl'd me forth on thwarted hopes, false friends,
And left me to those triumphs from the little
Which make the spirit wither up in scorn,—
But I can have no quarrel with them now,
Since one has risen o'er me in the west
Whose gentle beauty speaks for all the rest.
Shine on, sweet star! still let me feel thy light.
For, though I know that light is not for me,
I would not have thy pity cloud the spell,
Whate'er its peril, which has taught me here,
In thee, to love the stars.
| [Poems by Payne in] John Howard Payne ... his life and writings | |