It is the noon! the sun looks laughing down
On hamlet still, on busy shore, and town,
On forest glade, and deep dark waters lone;
Why art thou sleeping?
It is the sunset! daylight’s crimson veil
Floats o’er the mountain tops, while twilight pale
Calls up her vaporous shrouds from every vale;
Why art thou sleeping?
It is the night! o’er the moon’s livid brow,
Like shadowy locks, the clouds their darkness throw,
All evil spirits wake to wander now;
Why art thou sleeping?
TO THE DEAD.
On the lone waters’ shore
Wander I yet;
Brooding those moments o’er
I should forget.
’Till the broad foaming surge
Warns me to fly,
While despair’s whispers urge
To stay and die.
When the night’s solemn watch
Falls on the seas,
’Tis thy voice that I catch
In the low breeze;
When the moon sheds her light
On things below,
Beams not her ray so bright,
Like thy young brow?
Spirit immortal! say,
When wilt thou come,
To marshal me the way
To my long home?
SONG.
I sing the yellow leaf,
That rustling strews
The wintry path, where grief
Delights to muse,
Spring’s early violet, that sweetly opes
Its fragrant leaves to the young morning’s kiss,
Type of our youth’s fond dreams, and cherished hopes,
Will soon be this:
A sere and yellow leaf,
That rustling strews
The wintry path, where grief
Delights to muse.
The summer’s rose, in whose rich hues we read
Pleasure’s gay bloom, and love’s enchanting bliss,
And glory’s laurel, waving o’er the dead,
Will soon be this:
A sere and yellow leaf,
That rustling strews
The wintry path, where grief
Delights to muse.
TO THOMAS MOORE, Esq.
Here’s a health to thee, Bard of Erin!
To the goblet’s brim we will fill;
For all that to life is endearing,
Thy strains have made dearer still!
Wherever fond woman’s eyes eclipse
The midnight moon’s soft ray;
Whenever around dear woman’s lips,
The smiles of affection play: