Our very hopes belied our fears, For when the morn came dim and sad, No dawn No road no street no "t' other side the way". No end to any Row No indications where the Crescents go- No recognitions of familiar people No courtesies for showing 'em No travelling at all-no locomotion, No inkling of the way no notion "No go" by land or ocean No mail - no post No news from any foreign coast No park no ring- no afternoon gentility No company -no nobility — No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease, VOL. XII.-2 I REMEMBER, I REMEMBER. I REMEMBER, I remember The house where I was born, The little window where the sun Came peeping in at morn; He never came a wink too soon, But now I often wish the night I remember, I remember The laburnum on his birth-day,- I remember, I remember Where I was used to swing, And thought the air must rush as fresh To swallows on the wing; My spirit flew in feathers then, That is so heavy now, And summer pools could hardly cool The fever on my brow! I remember, I remember The fir-trees dark and high; I used to think their slender tops Were close against the sky: But now 't is little joy To know I'm further off from heaven Than when I was a boy. FAIR INES. O SAW ye not fair Ines? To dazzle when the sun is down, And rob the world of rest: She took our daylight with her, The smiles that we love best, With morning blushes on her cheek, And pearls upon her breast. O turn again, fair Ines, For tear the moon should shine alone, And blessed will the lover be That walks beneath their light, And breathes the love against thy cheek Alas, alas fair Ines, She went away with song, With music waiting on her steps, And shoutings of the throng; But some were sad, and felt no mirth, In sounds that sang farewell, farewell, Farewell, farewell, fair Ines! Nor danced so light before, Alas for pleasure on the sea, And sorrow on the shore ! The smile that blest one lover's heart Has broken many more! A PARENTAL ODE TO MY SON, AGED THREE YEARS AND FIVE MONTHS. THOU happy, happy elf! (But stop, first let me kiss away that tear) Thou tiny image of myself! (My love, he's poking peas into his ear!) Thou merry, laughing sprite! With spirits feather-light, Untouched by sorrow, and unsoiled by sin- Thou little tricksy Puck! With antic toys so funnily bestuck, Light as the singing bird that wings the air(The door! the door! he'll tumble down the stair!) Thou darling of thy sire! (Why, Jane, he'll set his pinafore afire!) Thou imp of mirth and joy! In Love's dear chain so strong and bright a link, There goes my ink!) Thou cherub-but of earth; Fit playfellow for Fays, by moonlight pale, (That dog will bite him if he pulls its tail!) Thy father's pride and hope! (He'll break the mirror with that skipping-rope!) With pure heart newly stamped from Nature's mint(Where did he learn that squint ?) Thou young domestic dove! (He'll have that jug off, with another shove!) Little epitome of man! (He'll climb upon the table, that's his plan!) Touched with the beauteous tints of dawning life (He's got a knife!) Thou enviable being! No storms, n clouds, in thy blue sky foreseeing, My elfin John! Toss the light ball-bestride the stick — (I knew so many cakes would make him sick!) With fancies, buoyant as the thistle-down, Prompting the face grotesque, and antic brisk, With many a lamb-like frisk, (He's got the scissors, snipping at your gown!) Thou pretty opening rose! (Go to your mother, child, and wipe your nose!) Balmy and breathing music like the South, (He really brings my heart into my mouth!) Fresh as the morn, and brilliant as its star,(I wish that window had an iron bar!) Bold as the hawk, yet gentle as the dove, (I'll tell you what, my love, I cannot write unless he's sent above!) STANZAS. FAREWELL, life! my senses swim, Welcome, life! the spirit strives! |