Page:Landon in Literary Gazette 1822.pdf/21



Love was her heart's sole universe—he was To her, Hope, Genius, Energy, the God Her inmost spirit worshipped—in whose smile Was all e'en minstrel pride held precious; praise Was prized but as the echo of his own. But other times and other feelings came: Hope is love's element, and love with her Sickened of its own vanity. . . . She lived Mid bright realities and brighter dreams, Those strange but exquisite imaginings That tinge with such sweet colours minstrel thoughts; And Fame, like sunlight, was upon her path; And strangers heard her name, and eyes that never Had looked on, yet had wept with her. Her first love never wholly lost its power, But, like rich incense shed, although no trace Was of its visible presence, yet its sweetness Mingled with every feeling, and it gave That soft and melancholy tenderness Which was the magic of her song. . . . That Youth Who knelt before her was so like the shape That haunted her spring dreams—the same dark eyes, Whose light had once been as the light of heaven!— Others breathed winning flatteries—she turned A careless hearing—but when spoke, Her heart beat quicker, and the crimson light Upon her cheek gave a most tender answer. . . . She loved with all the ardour of a heart Which lives but in itself: her life had passed Amid the great creations of the mind: Love was to her a vision—it was now Heightened into devotion. . . . But a soul So gifted and so passionate as her's Will seek companionship in vain, and find Its feelings solitary. . . . soon Forgot the fondness of his Lesbian maid; And knew that genius, riches, fame, May not soothe slighted love. - - - - - - - There is a dark rock looks on the blue sea; 'Twas there love's last song echoed—there She sleeps, Whose lyre was crowned with laurel, and whose name Will be remembered long as Love or Song Are sacred—the devoted ! L. E. L.