15.

But storms may blast-or canker-worm
May gnaw it to the core,

And leave a desolated form,

Array'd in bloom no more!

16.

Youth is a gay and gilded bark
On Time's far-rolling Sea;

There, Scylla's rocks loom, dire and dark,
Charybdis' gulfs, a-lee!

17.

Soft zephyrs breathe-kind Fortune smiles-
Smooth Pleasure's ripples flow-

And Syrens sing from flowery Isles,
But quicksands lurk below!

18.

Oh! may'st thou, wafted o'er the Main,
(Life's checker'd Voyage past,
Each danger 'scaped) in safety gain

Heaven's blissful Port at last!

19

Adieu! The parting hour is near

Our interview is o'er

And the friends that hail'd thy coming here May greet thee never more!

20.

We'll miss the sunshine of thine eye,

And the music of thy voice

Whose soft Eolian melody

Oft made each ear rejoice—

21.

We'll miss thy footsteps' welcome sound
When Morn illumes yon heaven-
We'll miss thee in glad meetings round
The social hearth at even:

22.

But thy vision'd form, in future years,
Mid darkness and decays,

Shall cheer our sight, through smiles and tears,
Like "The Light of Other Days!"

23.

And thy cherish'd name (till breath departs,
And we seek our Mother-Earth,)
We'll shrine within our heart of hearts,
As a pearl of peerless worth!

24.

My task is done. Ere long the knell
Shall Friendship's cordon sever;

And the boding thought within will swell,
That we part-perhaps for ever!

25.

Yet may we meet, as we have met,

(Time's transient partings o'er,)

When the Sun of Life's brief Day hath set, Upon a happier shore!

26.

God bless thee, Love! Whate'er may be Our lot-or weal or woe

For thee-while Memory lasts--for thee Our warmest prayers shall flow!

27.

Farewell, dear Girl! accept the wreathPledge of esteem and love.

May Earth's best joys be thine beneathAnd better joys above!

THE RED CROSS KNIGHT.

"SIR Knight! Thou art welcome to our hall:
The shades of evening round thee fall;
The curfew-knell, and the gloaming1 grey
Presage the close of the fading day.

Sir Knight! I see thou hast journey'd far;
Now rest thee at the evening-star.

Thy mantle is cover'd o'er with dust:

And thy hauberk 2 rent with many a thrust,
And the recent marks on thy well-worn shield
Denote thee late from the battle-field.

On thine arm the scarlet cross is seen:
Thou art from the Holy Land, I ween:
Of thy gallantry well thou bringest proof-
Aye, Valour is welcome to our roof:
My Lord and I invite thee free;
Right generous here thy cheer shall be:
'Tis our wedding-day—and we hail thee guest.
Unbrace thy corslet, and doff thy crest!
Thy horse and thou have need of rest.
The seat of honour remains for thee,
The guerdon of true nobility;
Already the Seneschal gives the word,

And the baron smokes upon the board:

:

}

(We hold a Round Table;1 and titled dames
Have sate to view the knightly games:
The Tilt is just o'er; and, in the hall
Convened, they keep high festival :)
"Twill crowd the joy of myself and Lord
To have a Crusader grace our board:
My page shall serve thee at the feast,

And

my groom shall tend thy noble beast; The mass shall be sung, and the bells shall chime Thy welcome-home to thy native clime:

Thou shalt drown thy toils in the wassail-bowl,2
And with muscadel3 refresh thy soul;

The minstrels shall sing, and the harps resound,
And the dancers merrily foot it round,
Till the vaulted roofs and the donjons 4 rebound.
The banquet is ready; now, prythee, alight!
And repose thee here in peace to-night:
On the morrow, as soon as matins are o'er,
Thou shalt speed thee on thy way once more."

Thus a Ladye fair, at her castle-gate,
Address'd a knight mid the twilight late,
As his sable charger approach'd the wall

That flank'd the road with its turrets tall,

(1) The proclaiming a great tournament was called "holding a Round Table," on account of the arena being environed with a circular wall.

(2) An ancient English beverage made of apples, sugar, and ale. It is mentioned by both Shakspeare and Milton.

(3) A similar liquor to the last.

(4) Turrets.

}