On mistless meadow or unvaried moor, Imbrowned by changes of the ripening year. Its solemn stillness, thickening with the gloom, Νο power had I to penetrate its depths, But piercing deep in thought, at intervals Broke the dull roll of waters on my ear, As in its midst a loosened torrent raved, I shuddered, and exclaimed:-"What wisdom e'er Would urge the footsteps onward, and so far, E'en were it prone to yonder radiant hills, Since further than that vale no road is shown (Welcome it were!) which shall not reach its shade? Say, ye dark fields! oh, leafless bowers, declare! Averted calls away the trembling dawn, Eternal do ye stand the tomb of Time And Time's events?" Ere mine was hushed a voice, Borne from the garden, bid me start and turn, As light it echoed o'er the laughing meads. There one did lean upon its gate and gaze But not from him those merry accents rose His trancelike reverie: amidst the flowers There strayed a lovely child, upon whose brow, The name of Peace imprinted soft and clear. Ah, happy one! thy locks of gold were bright; If e'er they wept, their bitterest tears were shed A volume placed, a shining treasure—see ! The prospect of yon rising hills from here!" "Sister," the youth in thoughtless mood replied, Why there remain? the sunshine overhead To show the splendour of yon spacious fields Is given: Come, let us, in those valleys white Or shall I but a little while be gone, Of every bud that fairest there is found To twine a wreath to deck my sister's brow? Like heavenly music to my ears arose That babe's soft answer, that, with smile half sad, And what a beauteous place must that needs be Whose sunshine tints these leaves and flowers around! There often do I think can be no night, For when at early hour the songs awake And call me from my rest, first there I look, To perfect pleasure is at last removed; For this straight path these eyes can now behold Above the vale, and to those realms I love: Oh! wondrous mount!"-She ceased; a sight ap peared Of sudden glory strange; for down that way Came One exceeding beautiful and bright, With rainbow splendour, wide-encompassed round, |