Angels she sees-that might from heaven have flown, And Virgin-saints, who not in vain Have striven by purity to gain Sees long-drawn files, concentric rings Thus after Man had fallen (if aught Darkening like water in the breeze, Lo! while I speak, the labouring Sun * Above the highest circle of figures is a zone of metallic stars. O Ye, who guard and grace my home What countenance hath this Day put on for you? While we looked round with favoured eyes, Or was it given you to behold From the smooth breast of gay Winandermere? Spread over Grasmere's lovely dale, I ask in vain and know far less Have spared my Dwelling to this hour: ELEGIAC STANZAS. The lamented Youth whose untimely death gave occasion to these elegiac verses, was Frederick William Goddard, from Boston in North America. He was in his twentieth year, and had resided for some time with a clergyman in the neighbourhood of Geneva for the completion of his education. Accompanied by a fellow-pupil, a native of Scotland, he had just set out on a Swiss tour when it was his misfortune to fall in with a friend of mine who was hastening to join our party. The travellers, after spending a day together on the road from Berne and at Soleure, took leave of each other at night, the young men having intended to proceed directly to Zurich. But early in the morning my friend found his new acquaintances, who were informed of the object of his journey, and the friends he was in pursuit of, equipped to accompany him. We met at Lucerne the succeeding evening, and Mr G. and his fellow-student became in consequence our travelling companions for a couple of days. We ascended the Righi together; and, after contemplating the sunrise from that noble mountain, we separated at an hour and on a spot well suited to the parting of those who were to meet no more. Our party descended through the valley of our Lady of the Snow, and our late companions, to Art. We had hoped to meet in a few weeks at Geneva; but on the third succeeding day (the 21st of August) Mr. Goddard perished, being overset in a boa, while crossing the lake of Zurich. His companion saved himself by swimming, and was hospitably received in the mansion of a Swiss gentleman (M. Keller) situated on the eastern coast of the lake. The corpse of poor Goddard was cast ashore on the estate of the same gentleman, who generously performed all the rights of hospitality which could be rendered to the dead as well as to the living. He caused a handsome mural monument to be erected in the church of Küsnacht, which records the premature fate of the young American, and on the shores too of the lake the traveller may read an inscription pointing out the spot where the body was deposited by the waves. LULLED by the sound of pastoral bells, The sky was blue, the air was mild; * Mount Righi-Regina Montium. As if, to rough assaults unknown, A countenance that as sweetly smiled- And we were gay, our hearts at ease; If foresight could have rent the veil Oh GODDARD! what art thou ?-a name-- We met, while festive mirth ran wild, |