University of Virginia Library

ON A PORTRAIT BY TITIAN.

There was a silent eloquence that spake
From out that thoughtful brow, that still I gaz'd,
Held in its gentle bondage, like to one
Loth to resign a pleasure that had dwelt
With admiration on the willing mind.
It was the countenance of one who came
Victorious from the battle-field, yet bore
A sadness on his brow,—who knew too well
At what a cost these things of death were won,
Earth mourning for her children.—So he went,
Weary of human suffering, human pain,
Sorrows, that held man's life to be their own,
And passions trampling o'er the troubled mind,
Like to the vultures on the battle-field
Seeking their prey, or autumn winds that rise
And smite the vale with sadness—so he went,
Amid the silent paths of peace to dwell
In thoughtful meditation, self-rebuked,
Doubtful, and mourning o'er the past—like one
Who had lost the world within, and with that loss,
All that he lov'd, had vanish'd;—yet was he not
Hopeless, his fearful task of duty done,
A patriot's task in freedom's cause achiev'd,
That he these scenes of grief no more might see,
Grave closing over grave where'er he trod,
Nor hear along the moonlight solitudes,
The sound of wailing trumpets as they breath'd
Their melancholy dirges o'er the dead,
Sending their plaintive voices down the wind,
Borne on the wings of night, till Earth itself
Seem'd the abode of woe.—But then a voice
Came to him, such as gentle Wisdom brings
To cheer the afflicted spirit.—Linger not
Amid these pensive shadows of the past:
Go, on thy path of duty! Thou hast had
Stern warfare to accomplish amid those,
Sporting with wrong and fear.—Oh! falter not,
Nor grieve for what thy destiny has wrought
Through laws to thee unknown. Thy task is done,
Nor faithless wert thou found, nor weak the sword
Borne by thee through the battle; so live on
Thy allotted days in peace, distrusting nought,
Nor in the princely chambers of thy mind,
Aught wavering; for, disposed by laws divine,
Mysterious to thy bounded vision now
The ways of Heaven appear;—nor wilt thou want
Gentle companions duly sent to cheer
The pale and faltering spirit, and far off
Desponding cares remove; live on, and learn
How o'er the dark and gloomy surge the bark
Of faith rides on triumphant—how by laws
Immovable, the powers of evil yield
To man's unconquerable will, and thus
Safety on danger follows, Life on Death
Builds its immortal home. So reads the page
Whose voice, by many a stern decree proclaimed,
The children of humanity obey.
Go then in aid of those, by evil power
Opprest, nor less expectant of the time
When soon again the day-star shall arise
Serene, above the congregated gloom,
Promising mild and gentle hours;—and so
Within thy peaceful dwelling, mid the band
Of sweet domestic virtues blooming round,
The tenderness of life return to thee.