Its beams on minds of joy bereft their fresh'ning brightness fling, And show that life has somewhat left to which their hopes may cling; It steals upon the sick at heart, the desolate in soul, To bid their doubts and fears depart, and point a brighter goal. If such be Love's triumphant power o'er spirits touch'd by time, Oh! who shall doubt its loveliest hour of happiness sublime? In youth, 'tis like the meteor's gleam which dazzles and sweeps by, In after life, its splendours seem link'd with eternity! B. BARTON. THE ECHO. For ever thine! when hills and seas divide, When west winds sigh, or deserts part us wide. In the gay circle of the proud saloon, Whose splendours shine; In the lone stillness of the evening moon For ever thine! And when the light of song, that fires me now, My breaking heart shall breathe its latest vow, From the German. Thy life was all one oath of love to me! tell me! Oh! they did turn thy lightest words to oaths, SHERIDAN KNOWLES. - THE BRIDAL Oh! they are blest indeed, and swift the hours Till her young sisters wreathe her hair in flowers.— And ring of gold—no fond illusions now— And feeling hearts-touch them but rightly-pour SONG OF THE AGED MINSTREL. And said I that my limbs were old, And my poor wither'd heart was dead, And that I might not sing of love? — So foul, so false a recreant prove? In peace Love tunes the shepherd's reed; In hamlets dances on the green. Love rules the court, the camp, the grove, For love is heaven, and heaven is love! SCOTT. BRIDAL GREETINGS. Ocean and land the globe divide; Though each be good and fair alone, In all, when fitly pair'd, is shown More of their Maker's power and grace. Then may the union of young hearts Like sea and shore, in all their parts Appear as twain, but be as one. Bliss, beauty, hope, where'er they roam; Like day and night, sweet interchange Hearts by unfailing love possest. Like earth's horizon be their scene When land and ocean, day and night, Their union one eternity! |