Page:Landon in Literary Gazette 1824.pdf/9

FRAGMENTS. Third Series. 8 Literary Gazette, 17th January, 1824, Page 41

INDIAN SONG. Founded on a romantic species of Divination practised by Indian Maidens. To the moonlit waters of the lake My little bark I gave, And gentle as the jasmin's sigh Was the wind that swept the wave.

I chose the night from many a one, It was so very fair; Scarcely the cocoa's light green plumes Waved on the languid air.

Last year, beneath the summer moon, I planted a young rose, I watered it at the sunrise, And at the evening's close.

I only let one single flower Amid the boughs abide, Soon as they came I culled the heads Of every bud beside.

I shaded it from the hot noon, And from the midnight dew, And fresh, and red, and beautiful, My lonely rosebud grew.

This morning it was in its prime, And then my bark I made Of the green fragrant grass that grows In the bannana's shade.

I made a taper of white wax From my own hive, whose bees Had fed but upon hyacinth bells And on young myrtle trees.

And in the bark that taper stood, Hung with a wreath of green, And in the midst my lovely rose Sat like a fairy queen.

I threw rich spice and scented oils Around the lighted flame, And gave it to the stream, and called Upon Camdeo's name.

My cheek blushed warm, my heart beat high, The bark moved slowly on; There breath'd no wind, there moved no wave, Yet like a thought 'twas gone.

Alas, my bark! Alas, my rose! Yet what could I expect? I sent them on a voyage of love, And when was love not wreck'd?—L. E. L.