Some, famine-struck, shall think how long Each where his tasks or pleasures call, THE WANING MOON. I'VE watch'd too late; the morn is near; Ev'n while your glow is on the cheek, See where upon the horizon's brim, Late, in a flood of tender light, And still thou wanèst, pallid moon! The encroaching shadow grows apace; Heaven's everlasting watchers soon Shall see thee blotted from thy place. D Oh, Night's dethroned and crownless queen! Be shed on those whose eyes have seen Shine thou for forms that once were bright, For those whose words were spells of might, In thy decaying beam there lies Full many a grave on hill and plain, The spheres of heaven shalt cease to shine, Whose lustre late was quench'd in thine. Yet soon a new and tender light From out thy darken'd orb shall beam, And broaden till it shines all night On glistening dew and glimmering stream. THE THIRD OF NOVEMBER, 1861. SOFTLY breathes the west-wind beside the ruddy forest, Taking leaf by leaf from the branches where he flies. Sweetly streams the sunshine, this third day of November, Through the golden haze of the quiet autumn skies. Tenderly the season has spared the grassy meadows, Spared the petted flowers that the old world gave the new, Spared the autumn rose and the garden's group of pansies, Late-blown dandelions and periwinkles blue. On my cornice linger the ripe black grapes ungather'd; Children fill the groves with the echoes of their glee, Gathering tawny chestnuts, and shouting when beside them Drops the heavy fruit of the tall black-walnut tree. Glorious are the woods in their latest gold and crimson, Yet our full-leaved willows are in their freshest green. Such a kindly autumn, so mercifully dealing With the growths of summer, I never yet have seen. Like this kindly season may life's decline come o'er me; Past is manhood's summer, the frosty months are here; Yet be genial airs and a pleasant sunshine left me, Leaf, and fruit, and blossom, to mark the closing year! Dreary is the time when the flowers of earth are wither'd; Dreary is the time when the woodland leaves are cast, When, upon the hillside, all harden'd into iron, Howling, like a wolf, flies the famish'd northern blast! Dreary are the years when the eye can look no longer With delight on nature, or hope on human kind! Oh may those that whiten my temples, as they pass me, Leave the heart unfrozen, and spare the cheerful mind! WAITING BY THE GATE. BESIDE a massive gateway built up in years gone by, The tree tops faintly rustle beneath the breeze's flight, Behold the portals open, and o'er the threshold, now, In sadness then I ponder how quickly fleets the hour And as I look and listen the sadness wears away. Again the hinges turn, and a youth, departing, throws Oh glory of our race that so suddenly decays! Oh crimson flush of morning that darkens as we gaze! I grieve for life's bright promise, just shown and then withdrawn ; But still the sun shines round me: the evening bird sings on, And I again am sooth'd, and, beside the ancient gate, Once more the gates are open'd; an infant group go out, The sweet smile quench'd forever, and still'd the sprightly shout. Oh frail, frail tree of Life, that upon the greensward strows Its fair young buds unopen'd, with every wind that blows! So come from every region, so enter, side by side, The strong and faint of spirit, the meek and men of pride. Steps of earth's great and mighty, between those pillars gray, And prints of little feet, mark the dust along the way. And some approach the threshold whose looks are blank with fear, And some whose temples brighten with joy in drawing near, As if they saw dear faces, and caught the gracious eye I mark the joy, the terror, yet these, within my heart, JAMES FITZ-GREENE HALLECK.* Born at Guilford, Conn: 1795--died 1867. MARCO BOZZARIS. At midnight, in his guarded tent, In dreams, through camp and court, he bore In dreams his song of triumph heard; At midnight, in the forest shades, Bozzaris ranged his Suliote band- There had the Persian's thousands stood, And now there breath'd that haunted air An hour pass'd on,-the Turk awoke : He woke to hear his sentries shriek, "To arms! they come ! the Greek! the Greek!" He woke to die 'midst flame, and smoke, And shout, and groan, and sabre-stroke, And death-shots falling thick and fast As lightnings from the mountain-cloud; And heard, with voice as trumpet loud, Bozzaris cheer his band: "Strike-till the last arm'd foe expires; *See Note 10. |