Page:Landon in Literary Gazette 1822.pdf/16

15 Literary Gazette, 16th February, 1822, Page 105

ORIGINAL POETRY

POETIC SKETCHES.

Sketch Sixth. "She had no thought from him apart, The idol of her seared heart, The hope of life's lone pilgrimage, The light, the blessing of her age! But hope is like the rainbow's form, Dying in tears and born in storm; And all must feel what passing flowers Are joys we deemed most truly ours." "Alas, life is a weary voyage, made Mid storms and rocks, with just a sun ray sent To lure us on and leave us.“

swept the gathered waters over rocks Which broke at times the column's foaming line; Darkening amid the snow-white froth, it swept Like an all conquering army, and an arch Of sparkling hues that in the sunbeams played Seemed to unite it with the sky which hung Above all calmness and repose: The blue Ethereal, soft and stainless, well beseemed A heaven we deem the dwelling-place of peace: Downwards it rushed; the tall green pines, that hung Upon the cliffs beside, were covered o'er With silver spray: there stood those stately trees, Braving the furious storm, as the proud sons Of Greece, when Greece was glorious, stood and braved The tyrant's menace and defied the yoke. It reached the plain below; a crystal lake Became its dwelling, where the dimpling wave Had lost all memory of its former strife: The willows grew around, and that pale flower The water-lily floated on its face, The halcyon plumed his azure wings, nor feared A coming storm, and in the midst an isle Rose like a blest shrine to the guardian power Of that sweet scene. It was a little spot Shaded by gloomy firs and lighter birch: Here the wild strawberry shed its first white blossoms, And the dove built her nest, while the soft gale, Sighing amid the graceful larches, gave The only answer to her murmurings.—