Page:The Poets and Poetry of the West.djvu/122

 106 OTWAY CURRY. [1830-40. THE LOST PLEIAD. Millions of ages gone, Didst thou survive, in thy enthroned place. Amidst the assemblies of the starry race, Still shining on — and on. And even in earthly time Thy parting beams their olden radiance wore, And greeted, from the dim cerulean shore. The old Chaldean clime. Sages and poets, strong To rise and walk the waveless firmament. Gladly to thee their richest offerings sent, Of eloquence and song. But thy far flowing light. By time's mysterious shadows overcast. Strangely and dimly fiided at the last. Into a nameless night. Along the expanse serene. Of clust'ry arch and constellated zone, With orbed sands of tremulous gold o'er- strown, No more canst thou be seen. Say whither wand'rest thou ? Do unseen heavens thy distant path illume? Or press the shades of everlasting gloom Darkly upon thee now? Around thee, far away. The hazy ranks of multitudinous spheres, Perchance, are gathering to prolong the years Of thy unwilling stay. Sadly our thoughts rehearse The story of thy wild and wondrous flight Thro' the deep deserts of the ancient night And far-off universe. We call — Ave call thee back, And suns of many a constellation bright, Sliall weave the waves of their illuming light O'er thy returning track. AD.JURATION. I ADJURE thee — I adjure thee, By the memory of the past. Think not thou of rest or respite From the burden on thee cast. Quietude of dreamless slumber, Hope of cloudless years, to thee Banned and banished and forbidden. Shall but names ideal be. Gone is that bright eve forever In the which we lingered long, Walking green suburban gardens, vSevered from the city's throng — When beneath our footsteps bended Flowerets of the early year. And the sunset's fallmg crimson Faintly touched the young leaves near. Then amidst the lonely music Of the gales that round us stirred, Unforgotten words were spoken, Now unsyllabled, unheard. And we felt that we thereafter To a heavier life should wake — Wake on many a sad to-morrow Which might better never break. Think'st thou ever — when the sunshine Mocks thee with its setting glow — Thinkest thou of that sad sunset, Which a morning could not know ? Aye — thou canst not but remember : And in silence thou wilt grieve At the nevei'-fading memory Of that unreturning eve. As the lingering seasons pa,ss thee As the dim days rise and set, Ever shall they pass and leave thee Striving vainly to forget. In thy thought strong fate forever Shall compel a place for me — In thy soul's most secret presence Still unbidden will I be.