Page:Landon in Literary Gazette 1823.pdf/147

146 Literary Gazette 13th December 1823, Page 793-794

ORIGINAL POETRY. POETIC SKETCHES. Fourth Series. SKETCH V.— THE ISLAND. "Adieu, adieu, thou faithless world, Thou ne’er wert made for me!"

A summer isle, one over which the wind Hath ever pass'd in melody,—such airs As are born in the rose's breast, and die Like singing on the waters. There were lakes, Some deep and blue, and clear as the bright sky Mirror'd upon them; others, o'er whose waves Floated the broad green pennons of the lily; Some barks for Love, coloured with his own blush, And others, white as fairy ships, for Hope,— Ah, Love and Hope should ever go together!— And in the valleys and beside the hills (Hills where the landmark was one stately palm) There grew ten thousand flowers, on whose leaves Shone every hue that ever yet hath shone In a king's diadem of Indian gems, Or in the tints an autumn sunset throws O'er the rich glaciers in the rainbow arch Of the departing shower; and butterflies, Each like a ruby, glistened round the stems; And birds as brightly feathered, for each wing Was like wrought tapestry of silk and gold.