Page:Poets of John Company.djvu/37



Slave of the dark and dirty mine!
 * What vanity has brought thee here?

How can I love to see thee shine
 * So bright, whom I have bought so dear?
 * The tent-ropes flapping lone I hear

For twilight-converse, arm in arm;
 * The jackal's shriek bursts on mine ear

When mirth and music wont to charm.

By Cherical's dark wandering streams,
 * Where cane-tufts shadow all the wild.

Sweet visions haunt my waking dreams
 * Of Teviot lov'd while still a child,
 * Of castled rocks stupendous pil'd

By Esk or Eden's classic wave.
 * Where loves of youth and friendships smil'd,

Uncurs'd by thee, vile yellow slave!

Fade, day-dreams sweet, from memory fade!
 * The perish'd bliss of youth's first prime.

That once so bright on fancy play'd.
 * Revives no more in after-time,
 * Far from my sacred natal clime,

I haste to an untimely grave;
 * The daring thoughts that soar'd sublime

Are sunk in ocean's southern wave.