Page:Unpublished poems by Bryant and Thoreau.djvu/31

 As I gaz'd on them: And yet it cheers

My spirit, when the phantom fears

Of the far future darkly rise,

Like storms in autumn's mellow skies,

And memories of sorrow roll,

Like mountain mists, upon my soul.

I lov'd them all: each one had power

To chase the shades of my dark hour:

Each one was dear: but yet, than all

That sate within Night's regal hall,—

As round some Sultan's haram throne

Sit the bright dames,—more sweetly shone,

To me, my own lov'd Pleiades;

When glancing through the old elm trees,

That proudly rear'd their leafy dome

Around my boyhood's peaceful home,

As the eyes of gentle sisters, they

Sent down their mild and tranquil ray.

When years had roll'd and on their wings

Were borne away life's blossomings,

Their gentle smile, serene and calm,

Came o'er my heart, a healing balm.

For it brought in all the glow of truth

The hallow'd memories of youth.