Page:Landon in Literary Gazette 1831.pdf/11



Near it kneels a maid in prayer,* Fair as the white rose is fair— With a sad and chastened look, As the spirit early took Bitter lessons, how on earth Flowers perish in their birth, Blossoms fall before they bloom, And the bud is its own tomb. Once she dreamed a gentle dream— Such, alas! love's ever seem— Whence she only waked to know Every thing is false below. Soon the warm heart has to learn Lessons of despair, and turn From a world whose charm is o'er When its hope deceives no more. Maiden, thy young brow is cold— 'Tis because thy heart is old; And thine eyes are raised above, For earth hath betrayed thy love.

Dark the shades of evening fall— Night is gathering o'er that hall; All seems indistinct and pale— Thick falls the shadowy veil; All the shapes I gazed upon, Like the dream that raised them, gone. L. E. L.

† Mr. Lough's Child playing a Lyre.
 * Mr. Hollins' Aurora waking Zephyrus.


 * Mr. Macdonald's Supplicating Virgin.