Page:Hemans in Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine 23 1828.pdf/3



Oft, on the wave of the Adrian sea, In the city's hour of moonlight glee,— Oft would that gift of the southern sky, O'erflow from her lips in melody;— Oft amid festal halls it came, Like the springing forth of a sudden flame— Till the dance was hush'd, and the silvery tone Of her Inspiration, was heard alone. And Fame went with her, the bright, the crown'd, And Music floated her steps around; And every lay of her soul was borne Through the sunny land, as on wings of morn.

And was the daughter of Venice blest, With a power so deep in her youthful breast? Could She be happy, o'er whose dark eye So many changes and dreams went by? And in whose cheek the swift crimson wrought, As if but born from the rush of thought? —Yes! in the brightness of joy awhile She moved, as a bark in the sunbeam's smile; For her spirit, as over her lyre's full chord, All, all on a happy love was pour'd! How loves a heart, whence the stream of song Flows like the life-blood, quick, bright, and strong? How loves a heart, which hath never proved One breath of the world?—Even so she loved! Blest, though the Lord of her soul afar, Was charging the foremost in Moslem war,— Bearing the flag of St Mark's on high, As a ruling star in the Grecian sky. Proud music breathed in her song, when Fame Gave a tone more thrilling to his name; And her trust in his love was a woman's faith— Perfect, and fearing no change but death.