Of odorous lamps tended by Saint and Sleep, sweet babe! my cares beguiling : Sage. Mother sits beside thee smiling; Sleep, my darling, tenderly! If thou sleep not, mother mourneth, Singing as her wheel she turneth : Come, soft slumber, balmily! 1811. THE SUICIDE'S ARGUMENT ERE the birth of my life, if I wish'd it or no, No question was asked me-it could not be so ! If the life was the question, a thing sent to try, And to live on be Yes; what can No be? to die. NATURE'S ANSWER Is't returned, as 'twas sent? Is't no worse for the wear? Think first, what you are! Call to mind what you were ! I gave you innocence, I gave you hope, eyes down gazing o'er her clasped charge ; Yet gay as that twice happy father's kiss, That well might glance aside, yet never miss, Where the sweet mark emboss'd so sweet a targe Gave health, and genius, and an ample Twice wretched he who hath been doubly Yes! he hath flitted from me—with what aim, blest! III 20 The magic image of the magic Child, Or why, I know not! 'Twas a home of Which there he made up-grow by his bliss, Can wit of man a heavier grief reveal? Can sharper pang from hate or scorn arise? One whom you loved not! Earl H. Oh! I were most base, Not loving Oropeza. True, I wooed her, Yes! one more sharp there is that deeper Hoping to heal a deeper wound; but she lies, Met my advances with impassioned pride, Which fond Esteem but mocks when he That kindled love with love. And when gone. Sand. Anxiously, Henry! reasoning anxiously. O worse than all! O pang all pangs But Oropeza— above Ah! was that bliss Feared as an alien, and too vast for man? For suddenly, impatient of its silence, Did Oropeza, starting, grasp my forehead. I caught her arms; the veins were swelling on them. ба What an uncertain glimmer in the dark- Through the dark bower she sent a hollow voice, ness Their snow-white blossoms made-thither 'Oh! what if all betray me? what if she led me, To that sweet bower! Then Oropeza trembled thou?' Then Oropeza I swore, and with an inward thought that seemed The purpose and the substance of my being, I swore to her, that were she red with guilt, I would exchange my unblenched state with hers. Friend! by that winding passage, to that bower Still flowing, still were lost in those of I now will go-all objects there will love : So love grew mightier from the fear, and Nature, Fleeing from Pain, shelter'd herself in Joy. The stars above our heads were dim and steady, Like eyes suffused with rapture. Life was in us : We were all life, each atom of our frames A living soul-I vow'd to die for her: With the faint voice of one who, having spoken, Relapses into blessedness, I vowed it: That solemn vow, a whisper scarcely heard, teach me Unwavering love, and singleness of heart. Go, Sandoval! I am prepared to meet her 70 Say nothing of me-I myself will seek her Nay, leave me, friend! I cannot bear the torment And keen inquiry of that scanning eye.[Earl Henry retires into the wood. Sand. (alone). O Henry! always striv'st thou to be great By thine own act-yet art thou never great But by the inspiration of great passion. The whirl-blast comes, the desert-sands rise up A murmur breathed against a lady's ear. Nor yet while gazing in sublimer mood On cliff, or cataract, in Alpine dell; Nor in dim cave with bladdery sea-weed strewed, Framing wild fancies to the ocean's swell; THE Butterfly the ancient Grecians made But of the soul, escaped the slavish trade Our sea-bard sang this song! which still Manifold motions making little speed, he sings, And sings for thee, sweet friend! And to deform and kill the things whereon 1 Psyche means both Butterfly and Soul. |