VI.

LOVE SONNETS.

I.

O FOR a castle on a woodland height!

High mountains round, and a pure stream below, Within all charms that tasteful hours invite,

Wise books of poesy and music's flow;

A grassy lawn through which to course our steeds, A gothic chapel in seclusion reared,

Where we could solace find for holiest needs,

And grow by mutual rites the more endeared: How such captivity alone with thee

Would lift to Paradise each passing day! Then all revealed my patient love would be,

And thou couldst not a full response delay; For Truth makes holy Love's illusive dreams, And their best promise constantly redeems.

VII.

LOVE SONNETS.

2.

THE rain-drops patter on the casement still,
So hushed the room, each faint watch-tick I hear,
The crackling of the embers seems to fill
This brooding quiet with an accent clear:
I've looked awhile upon the gifted page,
Glanced at the dingy roofs and leaden sky,
Or paced the floor my mind to disengage,
Chiding the languid hours as they fly;
In vain the thought of thee o'ermasters all,
Now waking joy, and now a dark surmise,
As Memory spreads her banquet or her pall,

And bids me hopeless sink or gladsome rise :
On what bright wings these lonely hours would flee,
Dared I but feel that thou hast thought of me!

VIII.

LOVE SONNETS.

3.

THE buds have opened, and in leafy pride
Woo the soft winds of this capricious May;
With a refreshing green the fields are dyed,
And clearer sparkles on the waters play.
All Nature speaks of boundless promise now,

In tones as sweet as thine, her hand is laid

With a maternal greeting on my brow,

Until its fevered throbbings all are stayed;

And I am fain to lie upon her breast,

Unconscious of the world, divorced from pain, Drink from her rosy lips the balm of rest, And be her glad and trustful child again : But such fond dalliance claims a spirit free, And all her spells are broken - without thee!

IX.

LOVE SONNETS.

4.

WHAT though our dream is broken? Yet again

Like a familiar angel it shall bear

Consoling treasures for these days of pain,

Such as they only who have grieved can share :

As unhived nectar for the bee to sip,

Lurks in each flower-cell which the spring-time brings,

As music rests upon the quiet lip,

And power to soar yet lives in folded wings;

So let the love on which our spirits glide

Flow deep and strong beneath its bridge of sighs,

No shadow resting on the latent tide

Whose heavenward current baffles human eyes,

Until we stand upon the holy shore,

And realms it prophesied at length explore.

WILLIAM GILMORE SIMMS.

OBJECTS WHICH INFLUENCE THE AMBITIOUS NATURE.

TROPHIES.

I.

HOW PLANTED.

THE trophies which shine out for eager eyes,

In youth's first hour of progress, and delude
With promise dearest to ambitious mood,
Lie not within life's limits, but arise

Beyond the realm of sunset ;-phantoms bright
Glowing above the tomb, having their roots

Even in the worshipper's heart;— from whence their fruits,
And all that thence grows precious to man's sight!
Thence, too, their power to lure from beaten ways
That Love hath set with flowers, and thence the spell,
'Gainst which the blood denied may ne'er rebel,

That leads to sleepless nights, and toilsome days,
And sacrifice of all those human joys

That to the ambitious nature seem but toys.