Page:Landon in The New Monthly 1837.pdf/7



76

 Once to gaze on the ocean, His lips faintly stir; But life's last emotion Is one look on her. Down drops on his bosom her beautiful head,— The Earl and the maiden together lie dead!

 

fair the child was, with hair of darkest auburn,— Fair, and yet sunburnt with the golden summer: Sunshine seem'd the element from which she drew her being. Careless from her little hand the gather'd ears are scatter'd, In a graceful wreath the purple corn-flowers binding; While her sweet face brightens with a sudden pleasure. Blame not her binding: already stirs within her All the deep emotions in the love of nature,— Love, that is the source of the beautiful and holy. In long-after years will memory, recalling Sweetness undying from that early garland, Keep the heart glad with natural devotion. 'Tis a true, sweet lesson; for, in life's actual harvest, Much we need the flowers that mingle with our labours. Pleasures, pure and simple, recall us to their Giver; For ever, in its joy, does the full heart think of Heaven.

