TO A LADY. BY G. D. PRENTICE. I THINK of thee, when morning springs From sleep with plumage bathed in dew, And, like a young bird, lifts her wings Of gladness on the welkin blue. And when, at noon, the breath of love, And sent in music from the grove, I think of thee-I think of thee. I think of thee, when soft and wide The evening spreads her robes of light, And, like a young and timid bride, Sits blushing in the arms of Night. And when the moon's sweet crescent springs I think of thee;-that eye of flame, Those tresses falling bright and free, GREEN RIVER. BY W. C. BRYANT. WHEN breezes are soft and skies are fair, I steal an hour from study and care, And hie me away to the woodland scene, Yet pure its waters-its shallows are bright And the plane-tree's speckled arms o'ershoot Through whose shifting leaves, as you walk the hill, With a sudden flash on the eye is thrown, Like the ray that streams from the diamond stone. Oh, loveliest there the spring days come, With blossoms, and birds, and wild bees' hum; The flowers of summer are fairest there, And freshest the breath of the summer air; 188 GREEN RIVER. That fairy music I never hear, Nor gaze on those waters so green and clear, To wander these quiet haunts with thee, Though forced to drudge for the dregs of men; And scrawl strange words with the barbarous pen, And mingle among the jostling crowd, Where the sons of strife are subtle and loud I often come to this quiet place, To breathe the airs that ruffle thy face, And gaze upon thee in silent dream, For in thy lonely and lovely stream, An image of that calm life appears, SONG OF THE WAVES AND THE AIR. THE INDIAN'S IDEA OF THE ORIGIN OF ECHO. BY S. J. BURR. I. AWAY o'er the bright flashing billow, A little white boat flew along As it dashed on the spray-lighted surge, II. The spirits of air and of water, Were mingling their vioces in one; And the winds and the waves seemed to loiter, To catch the sweet notes of the tune. III. And Echo for fear she should lose it Came down from her green-skirted hills, And faintly repeated the music, To teach to her murmuring rills. |