Page:Landon in Literary Gazette 1825.pdf/17



When her hair was bound with flowers, And her spirits fresh like them, Ere she had bartered happiness For the heartless diadem.

I entered next a mossy bower; And there two lovers leant, As if their destiny were clear As the moonlit element.

A moment passed, and all was dark, For the lover's blood was shed; And his wan mistress lay beside— Her life with his had fled.

I saw a minstrel's lofty brow, Green with his laurel crown; But I saw, too, that high pale brow Was bowed in sorrow down:

For blighted hope was at his heart, And he had found that fame (The fame he had thought more than life) Was nothing but a name.

I saw the sun like glory rise On the warrior's snow-white plume; And stern and stately was his step, But his lip and eye were gloom:

I saw him look towards the field He had covered with the slain,— I knew his soul was on the friends He should not see again.

I then the crowded city sought— There was hurrying to and fro; I asked if in it might be rest? And tumult answered, no.

I called the traveller wind, oh! where Peace may the weary crave? And the deep voice of death replied— But only in the grave. L. E. L.