Page:Poems of Sentiment and Imagination.djvu/204

200  That chamber was familiar, and I could not turn away— 'Twas my own deserted being that upon the couch yet lay. I watched with breathless eagerness—from 'neath her starry wing. The angel took a warbler, a bright and radiant thing, And with a tearful blessing she sent it down to rest On the spirit-chords forever within the sleeper's breast. Then darkness came upon me, the brightness left no trace, Down, down I felt me sinking through dark and dizzy space, Till I lay within my chamber, and the moonlight's silver gleam Startled me from my slumber, and I knew it was a dream! And now since that sweet vision, forever at the sight Of any thing that's beautiful, or eloquent, or bright— At every tone of music, at good and gentle things, I feel a flutter in my heart the the fluttering of wings— And I hear a low, wild warble, so strangely soft and sweet, That with feelings inexpressible my pulse doth faster beat; And I would not give the music that it sings unto my soul For the diamonds of Golconda or a crowned queen's control

The pale moon rises with her placid face— So from the restless beating of my heart A vision, fairer than the moon, steals up. There were wild storms upon the sea last night! Its waters had a sound of woe and madness— So were there storms of passion in my heart That had a sound of muttering and moans! The sea is full of light and song this eve; Its waves breathe music as they kiss the shore— And so my heart is melted in its mood, And murmurs e'er with tenderness and peace!