An Essay on Elocution

Is felt the first, the only sense

Of guiltless joy that guilt can know.

"There's a drop,' ," said the Peri, "that down from the moon

Falls through the withering airs of June

Upon Egypt's land, of so healing a power,

"So balmy a virtue, that ev'n in the hour
"That drop descends, contagion dies,
"And health reanimates earth and skies!-

"Oh, is it not thus, thou man of sin,

The precious tears of repentance fall?
Though foul thy very plagues within,
"One heavenly drop hath dispelled them all."

And now-behold him kneeling there
By the child's side, in humble prayer,
While the same sun-beam shines upon
The guilty and the guiltless one,
And hymns of joy proclaim through Heaven
The triumph of a Soul Forgiven!

'Twas when the golden orb had set,
While on their knees they linger'd yet,
There fell a light more lovely far
Than ever came from sun or star,
Upon the tear, that warm and meek,
Dew'd that repentant sinner's cheek:
To mortal eye this light might seem
A northern flash, a meteor beam-
But well the enraptur'd PERI knew
'Twas a bright smile the Angel threw
From Heaven's gate, to hail that tear
Her harbinger of glory near!

Joy, joy for ever! my task is done

"The Gates are pass'd, and Heaven is won!"

THE SAILOR-BOY'S DREAM.

IN slumbers of midnight the sailor boy lay, His hammock swung loose at the sport of the wind: But, watchworn and weary, his cares flew away, And visions of happiness danc'd o'er his mind. He dreamt of his home, of his dear native bow'rs, And Pleasure that waited on life's merry morn; While Mem'ry stood sideways, half cover'd with flow'rs, And displayed ev'ry rose, but secreted its thorn.

Then fancy her magical pinions spread wide, And bade the young dreamer in extacy rise.

Now far, far behind him the green waters glide, And the cot of his forefathers blesses his eyes:

The jessamine clambers, in flow'r, o'er the thatch, And the swallow sings sweet from her nest in the wall. All trembling with transport, he raises the latch, And the voices of lov'd ones reply to his call.

A Father bends o'er him with looks of delightHis cheek is impearl'd with a mother's warm tear; And the lips of the boy in a love kiss unite With the lips of the maid whem his bosom holds dear. The heart of the sleeper beats high in his breast, Joy quickens his pulse-all his hardships seem o'er, And a murmur of happiness steals through his rest"Kind fate thou hast blest me-I ask for no more." Ah! whence is that flame which now bursts on his eye Ah! what is that sound which now larums his ear? "Tis the lightning's red glare painting hell on the sky,Tis the crashing of thunders, the groan of the sphere. He springs from his hammock-he flies to the deck, Amazement confronts him with images dire;

Wild winds and waves drive the vessel a wreck, The masts fly in splinters, the shrouds are on fire. Like mountains the billows tremendously swell: In vain the lost wretch calls on Mercy to save. Unseen hands of spirits are ringing his knell, And the death angel flaps his broad wing o'er the wave.Oh! sailor boy, woe to thy dream of delight, In darkness dissolves the gay frost-work of bliss. Where now is the picture that Fancy touch'd bright'Thy parents' fond pressure, and love's honied kiss? Oh, sailor-boy! sailor-boy! never again Shall home, love, or kindred thy wishes repay! Unblest and unhonour'd, down deep in the main, Full many a score fathom thy frame shall decay: No tomb shall e'er plead to remembrance for thee, Or redeem form or fame from the merciless surge. But the white foam of wave shall thy winding sheet be, And winds in the midnight of winter thy dirge; On beds of green sea flow'rs thy limbs shall be laid, Around thy white bones the red coral shall grow; Of thy fair yellow locks threads of amber be made; And ev'ry part suit to thy mansion below. Days, months, years, and ages shall circle away, And still the vast waters above thee shall roll, Earth loses thy pattern for ever and aye :Oh, sailor-boy! sailor-boy!-peace to thy soul!