STANZAS FOR MUSIC.

Yes, radiant spirit, thou hast pass'd

Unto thy latest home,

And o'er our widow'd hearts is cast

A deep and with'ring gloom!

For when on earth thou wert as bright

As angel form might be:

And mem'ry shall exist in night,

If we think not of thee.

For, oh, thy beauty o'er us came

Like a fair sunset beam,

And the sweet music of thy name

Was pure as aught might deem.

With silent lips we gaz'd on thee,

And awe-suspended breath—

But thine entrancing witchery

Abideth not in death.

And all that we suppos'd most fair

Is but a mockery now;

No beam illumes the silken hair

That traced thy smiling brow.

The cheerless dust upon thee lies,

Death's seal is on thee set,

But the bright spirit of thine eyes

Shines o'er our mem'ry yet!

As in some dark and hidden shell

Lies ocean's richest gem,

So in our hearts shall ever dwell

The spells thou'st breath'd in them!

Why should we weep o'er the young flow'rs

That cluster on thy sod?

Stars like them glow in heav'n's bright bow'rs

To light thee up to God!

R.A.