Page:Friendship's Offering 1827.pdf/3

From a review in The Literary Gazette, 25th November 1826, page 741 (continued)

Then a young lover came beside its dwelling, To a maiden his gentle love-tale telling; He pluck'd a rose from out of the shade,— 'Twas not bright as the cheek on which it was laid: The tale was told in the sunny noon, Yet the same was heard by the rising moon. I have been where the azure violet dwells; I have sung the sweet peal of the lily bells; I have past on a diamond lake, Where white swans summer pleasaunce take; I saw the sun sink down in the sea,— Blushes and bridal seemed there to be. Next, over a noble city I swept,— Calm, in the moonlight, its proud towers slept, And its stately columns arose on the air As cut from snow mountains—they were so fair. Enter’d I next a stately hall; The young and the gay were at festival: The cheek of rose flush'd a redder dye; Flash'd the wild light from the full dark eye; Laugh'd the sweet lip with a sunny glance, As the beauty went through the graceful dance. And I saw the rich wine from the goblet spring, Like the sudden flash of a spirit's wing. Thence I went in the twilight dim, I heard a convent's vesper hymn: Beautiful were the vestal train That dwelt at peace in their holy fane. Paused I in air, to hear a song Which rather might to heaven belong; The very winds for delight were mute,— And I know 'twas the poet's gifted lute. Then came a sound of the trumpet afar,— The nations were gathering together in war, Like a cloud in the sunset; the banner was spread; Victory had dyed it of meteor red; Floating scarfs shew'd their broider'd fold. White foam dash'd the bridles of gold: Gallant it was the sight to see Of the young and noble chivalrie. In sooth, this earth is a lovely place; Pass not in darkness over her face; Yet call back thy words of doom— They are too gay and too fair for the tomb.