Page:Tales and Historic Scenes.pdf/28

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The smiling stillness of life's morning hour, Ere yet the day-star burns in all his power. Meanwhile, through groves of deep luxuriant shade, In the rich foliage of the South array darray'd [sic], Hamet, ere dawns the earliest blush of day, Bends to the vale of tombs his pensive way. Fair is that scene where palm and cypress wave On high o'er many an Aben-Zurrah's grave, Lonely and fair—its fresh and glittering leaves, With the young myrtle there the laurel weaves, To canopy the dead—nor wanting there Flowers to the turf, nor fragrance to the air, Nor wood-bird's note, nor fall of plaintive stream, Wild music, soothing to the mourner's dream. There sleep the chiefs of old—their combats o'er, The voice of glory thrills their hearts no more! Unheard by them th' awakening clarion blows; The sons of war at length in peace repose. No martial note is in the gale that sighs, Where proud their trophied sepulchres arise, 'Mid founts, and shades, and flowers of brightest bloom, As, in his native vale, some shepherd's tomb.

There, where the trees their thickest foliage spread Dark o'er that silent valley of the dead,