severity of the mother's aspect, soon found an opportunity of removing Emily's reserve in a private interview. He disclosed the awful circumstances which occurred at the time of the intended elopement; and she frankly confessed her painful suspicious that he had broken his oath of fidelity. The lovers at length agreed on the propriety of imparting their secret to the mother. The good dame was much surprised at learning the state of Emily's heart, and equally astounded at the fearful story of the elopement. She thought it just that Love should reward the hard trials of his votaries, and her only objection was the gentleman's want of name. But as the maiden maintained, that it was more reasonable to marry a man without a name, than a name without a man, she had nothing more to say on this score. As no earl appeared in prospect, and matters had already gone so far, she thought fit to give her consent to their union. Frederick embraced his lovely bride, and the marriage rites were performed, without any interruption from the spectral nun. ORIGINAL POETRY. IS THIS A TIME TO BE CLOUDY AND SAD. Is this a time to be cloudy and sad, When our mother nature laughs around; When even the deep blue heavens look glad, And gladness breathes from the blossoming ground? There are notes of joy from the hang-bird and wren, The clouds are at play in the azure space, And their shadows at play on the bright green vale, And here they stretch to the frolic chase, There's a dance of leaves in that aspen bower, There's a titter of winds in that beechen tree, There's a smile on the fruit, and a smile on the flower, And a laugh from the brook that runs to the sea. And look at the broad-faced sun how he smiles B PASSAGE OF THE RED SEA. ALL day the wearied Israelites Across the desert fled; The lingering hope, that still excites The sunset rays gleamed bright before Upon the dark red wave, And far behind, flashed wildly o'er Bright spears and banners brave. Pale, trembling, and dismayed, they stood While each gazed back, in fearful mood, On Pharaoh's armed host; But each in silent prayer besought The Being he adored, Who by their side full oft had fought, And edged their conquering sword. Yet nearer waved the spears, and shouts Borne on the rushing breeze, waked doubts In every breast, save his, who there Stood calm upon the strand, Inspired of Heaven, his right arm bare, And spake that proud command. The dancing surges, at the call, Rose from their depths,-a ruby wall There lay the coral reefs, that slept Veiled since creation's dawn; The Hebrews o'er them swiftly stepped,The heathen host rushed on. In sounding arms those gorgeous bands The waters trembled from on high,— A moment yet that upright wall The morning shed its peaceful sheen Upon the dark red sea, Where not a trace of life was seen Save wild waves tossing free. The sons of Jacob bowed, And raised, with many a white lamb slain, Their hymns of praise to God. SONNETS. TO A WESTERN MOUND. Tомв, cenotaph, sarcophagus, or urn! What are thy years? Prove they the Bramin's creed Of ages piled on ages? Wert thou when God loosed the fountains of the mighty deep, And choked the wave with shoals of sinful men? Or is thine era later, and the sleep Of the whole land, man's own infuriate deed? J. ON THE SAME. I THINK I see the men of ancient days, And thereupon the joyful myriads raise These barrows. Hush! I hear the minstrel's lays! J. SPRING BREEZES. YE joyous breezes, I trace your way O'er the meadows decked in their bright array; The flowerets are bending your steps to greet, --- But on ye pass, for no charm ye stay,— Ye joyous breezes, still on ye go, "Is our path then marked by so much of mirth? Is there not mingled a voice of wail With the sweetest tones of the young spring gale? If like infancy's joyous laugh we rise, Pass we not onward like manhood's sighs? "Though flowers may gladden our path to-day, When to-morrow we come they have passed away; And the cheerful smile and the rosy hue "We but do the will of our Master here, We are born in Heaven,-can our purer breath For what is earth, with its transient bloom And fleeting charms, but a flower-wreathed tomb?" IANTHE. |