Page:Landon in Literary Gazette 1822.pdf/20

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Literary Gazette, 4th May, 1822, Page 282

ORIGINAL POETRY. POETIC SKETCHES.

Second Series - Sketch the First.

SAPPHO. - - - - She was one Whose lyre the spirit of sweet song had hung With myrtle and with laurel; on whose head Genius had shed his starry glories - -  - "- -  - transcripts of woman's loving heart And woman's disappointment." - -  -  -

She leant upon her harp, and thousands looked On her in love and wonder—thousands knelt And worshipp'd in her presence—burning tears, And words that died in utterance, and a pause Of breathless, agitated eagerness, First gave the full heart's homage: then came forth A shout that rose to heaven; and the hills, The distant valleys, all rang with the name Of the Æolian —every heart Found in itself some echo to her song. Low notes of love—hopes beautiful and fresh, And some gone by for ever—glorious dreams, High aspirations, those thrice gentle thoughts That dwell upon the absent and the dead, Were breathing in her music—and these are Chords every bosom vibrates to. But she Upon whose brow the laurel crown is placed, Her colour's varying with deep emotion— There is a softer blush than conscious pride Upon her cheek, and in that tremulous smile Is all a woman's timid tenderness: Her eye is on a Youth, and other days And young warm feelings have rushed on her soul With all their former influence,—thoughts that slept Cold, calm as death, have wakened to new life— Whole years' existence have passed in that glance. . . She had once loved in very early days: That was a thing gone by: one had called forth The music of her soul: he loved her too, But not as she did—she was unto him As a young bird, whose early flight he trained, Whose first wild song were sweet, for he had taught Those songs—but she looked up to him with all Youth's deep and passionate idolatry: