Miscellaneous.
By Ferdinand Wallhime.
THE WISH
(in imitation of Matthison).
Once more could I wish, ere yet my blest spirit
Sunk in Elysium, peaceful mansion of shades!
That spot t' revisit, where Infancy
In dreams aerial, play'd 'round my brows.
The shrub of my country, whose branches o'erspread
The cool nest of the patridge, waves gentler my friend,
Than all the gay forests of laurel
O'er the dust of the world's mighty conq'rors.
The streamlet of that mead, where in childhood
I cull'd early violets, more musically murmurs
'Midst the alders once rear'd by my sire,
Than the silver Blandusian fountain.
The hill, on which swains, in bands youthful and gay
Danc'd 'round the trunk of the sweet blossom'd poplar,
With greater rapture inspir'd my heart,
Than Alps dazzling heights in roset glimm'ring.
Therefore could I wish, ere yet my blest spirit
Sunk in Elysium, peaceful mansion of shades
That spot t' revisit, where infancy
In dreams aerial, play'd 'round my brows.
Then may death's smirking genius, of a sudden,
Extinguish life's taper, well pleas'd I'll hasten
To Xenophon and Plato's musing shade
And to Anacreon's myrtle tufted bow'r.