Page:Diary of ten years.djvu/35

 19 thoughts far, far from the present scene to our little study, and boyish days, when we conned over Virgil and Ovid; and, heartily sick of their Pleiades and "Aquosus Orion," wished them at the bottom of the sea. I little thought then, that it would be my subsequent fate to gaze on these beautiful constellations on the wide ocean.

I need not recall to you that exquisite expression of Job, which may challenge comparison with any of the ancient poets, "Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades or loose the bands of Orion?"—a passage which Milton has borrowed and appropriated:—

You see I am not totally idle, but make some use of the few books which I have packed up.

18th.—I have had a dream of home, and here you have a poetical version of my visions of the night:—