Banner-streaming floats her hair
Wildly on the rising gale;
Blinding is the lightning's glare,
Yet that young girl does not quail!
No! she quails not; for her eye

Rests upon a phantom form;
While she deems her lover nigh,
Heeds she not the driving storm.
Yet it comes with giant force,
Death, destruction in its blow,
Sweeping, in its whirlwind course,
Mary to the depths below!
Swift, as e'er the wild deer bounds,
Falls she 'mid the tempest's peal,

And poor Mary's anthem sounds

From that Highland Harp of Steel!

REASON AND FANCY.

AN ALLEGORY.

WE saw two children sporting in a garden. Around them were plants and shrubs, fruits and flowers, of the richest and rarest kind, intermingled as though Nature and Art had combined to make another Eden for their pleasure. They were boy and girl; the boy somewhat the senior, of graver mien, and one formed in fairest and worthiest mould, while the sober majesty that so evidently characterized him, told of thought deep and abiding-thought that would look beyond the mere externals of existence, and seek food in wisdom and true knowledge. The girl was, indeed, fair to look upon, but she was far more than that. Beauty, and Grace, and Love, had so gathered about her, you scarce saw any, yet knew them all.

She had plucked of the garden's wealth, and now, seated with her brother on a green moss-bank, twined the bright-hued flowers about his person; while her light touch, and joyous smile, and gay laugh shot an occasional gleam across his thoughtful features.

Then spoke the girl," Brother, how changed you are! Why are you so still, now? See, I have brought the gayest flowers, and with them weaved this garland. Come, Brother, let me place it on your head; and then its beauty may banish thence that darkness on your face which chills me so! This will become you well; and there, in the very centre, see the pure Hyacinth, true emblem of a sister's love."

She kissed him then, and the darkness did vanish, as he gave back that Sister's kiss, and turned to look on her lightsome form, and touched the golden curls that played about her face. But that darkness came again, as he replied, "Dear Sister, in truth, I love you well; in that, at least, I am not changed. Yet, Fancy, know you not that grave

concerns now call me hence, nor will that I shall longer mingle in your gay sports? These pretty things you bring me, please; but pleasure's banquet will not fill the mind. I must not stay to play with these. 'Twas told me some time since, by one whose whitened lock might verify his tale-who rested by me on this spot, that yonder, on that mountain's top, a gem was placed, that he who found might have. His name was Wisdom, and the gem was Wisdom's-most esteemed of all. On him who has it, all men look with love and reverence. It sheds its light of truth and knowledge on his path; and the brightness of its rays are thrown on him, seeming as his own. That gem must be mine; and see, Sister, that long ascent-how rugged, steep, and pathless; beset with obstacles; and the briar and foul-weed are intertwined along. There are no fair things, no flowers, no fruits; all is toil and difficulty without ceasing. Say, then, Sister, must I toy with these? They will not assist; they only hinder and divide that constant thought I should place there. Yes! I must leave you now, bright Fancy, with all your bright pleasing treasure, and strive for what becomes me more."

"Oh, Brother!" replied the girl, "think not that I would hinder you. There is much for you to do, and Fancy would gladly lend her gentle aid. And why may not she aid? Let her go too! You say the way is long and rugged; that there are not gaysome things to please. But Fancy may furnish, or create all these, nor wander from your side. She goes nowhere bereft of treasures, all her own. She will carry hence these flowerets, which will not wither in her tender care. They love her kindly nursing, and will be bright and fresh in all places; Fancy may smooth the path of Reason. She will stray beyond-around that mountain's base, on its sides, even up its steep ascent, and the gem, when found, she will have placed in a bed of glowing beauties, that it may reflect their colorings, and seem a thousand fold more worth. In the way, briars shall emit sweet fragrance at her touch, and the thorns and foul weeds shall blossom like garden shrubs. The very stones shall shed their sombre hues, and soft mossy coverings shall o'erlay them, to rest your wearied head. Say, Reason, shall not Fancy go?" And as the fair girl spoke, she leaned in tenderness on her brother's shoulders, while her flowing tresses fell lightly about him; it was a tableau of Love, and Truth, and Beauty! Say, Reason"-and as she raised her large, radiant eyes to his, a tear-drop glistened on the lash-" shall not Fancy go? If you leave her here, when you are gone she will pine and die, or linger on, a pale and sickly thing-a Harlot Minister to Folly's pleasure! No one may then direct her wayward wanderings, nor show her where to cull the choicest flowers. Of all these here, none will longer thrive under her heavy touch, and none be left to gather, save those glaring, scentless things that please alone the rude and vulgar."

Then again she ran from his side, soon to return with other beauties, and weave them on her brother's head. "Now, look, Brother, in the stream, and see yourself reflected! Fancy's gifts are o'er you, and, oh! how nobly beautiful is your whole outward seeming!

Reason has lost none of his majesty, because Fancy decked him. Men may look on him with yet increased respect, and see Reason with Fancy's brightness as a very God, clothed in the outwardness of Grace and Beauty, while all within is true worth and dignity. Then let your Sister go! All will love little Fancy, while they worship Reason. Thus Reason shall have love and homage both. Nay! you want not more-love and homage, tributes paid to Deity itself! Then you, creature of a Creator, dare not despise them. Think, too, how happy we shall be; your little Sister, playmate, companion still with you-and in your hours of toil, alleviating that—and in your hours of rest, bringing her charms to soothe in gentle peace. And Reason, should you not consent, there will be times when you may wish the help of Fancy; for believe not that the past, your days of careless youth, your childhood' friends, all that is now, all that you love, will fade from Memory! Believe not that Honor, Fame, all the world can give, nay, even Wisdom's priceless gem, will satisfy the soul! The past will ask to live again, and what is that past untouched by Fancy's pencil! The heart will ask its tribute, and who like Fancy can satisfy its cravings? You will sometimes look for little Fancy, as you love to call her. Then, say, Brother, she may go! She will be no hindrance, but the same gentle, smiling, fairy creature, that you see her now.”

No effort of the boy could avail against such an appeal. He struggled for a time; then, yielding, drew his Sister nearer, and gently kissed away the tearful reproach that had almost mingled with her loving gaze. "Yes, Fancy, we will go together. You have conquered that stubborn, selfish will that would have sought the gem, nor brought a single added charm to grace its brightness. Fancy shall be the companion of her brother Reason, and thus the way of both shall be more honored and admired. A gentle handmaid, Sister, friend, I know you will ever be; and in me, Fancy, see, as ever, one to guide your steps and teach you how those wayward feet may tread in usefulness and rectitude. Come now, Fancy, away! Time wears on apace, and night will gather on us ere we travel half the road, while loneliness and darkness will make our task more difficult."

A moment longer they delayed, while Fancy turned to look upon the garden's loveliness, and pluck fresh beauties from the store of childhood treasures, to carry thence. Then Reason led the way beyond their little world; and a tear dimmed even his eye as he gave one glance at Fancy and her burden, and the passing thought occurred, how these would fade, mayhap his Sister too, long ere the work was done.

They passed the garden bounds, and once beyond, strange and varied sights broke on them-the works of men striving in vain presumption with the works of God, and man himself, his pigmy efforts and his vaunting hopes. Around the mountain's base were herded many; while on the side, and yet far up, higher and still higher, here and there a lone figure, bent and wearied in the labor, met their farthest gaze. But on the summit, where lay the priceless gem, none were found. Some stopped and turned to show a glittering bauble, that

Wisdom had thrown aside-of worth itself, but bauble when compared with the gem of gems, the one that rested still untouched.

As our youthful pair passed on, men gazed and wondered whither they were bent. At Reason's stern fixedness of look, all quailed; but again found courage in Fancy's pleasant smile, and gave a kindly benison. Still on they went, and, as they drew nigh the mountain, those there assembled looked to see if children such as these would dare assay the trial. Not so much at Reason did they wonder, for strength and boldness were displayed in every motion; but that one so fair and fragile-seeming as the girl should be with him!

Now one would ask why they should go together; and Reason would calmly answer, "This is my Sister: she goes to be with meto cheer and assist me; and weak and fragile as she seems, she may still keep pace with the sober tread of Reason, and enliven his lonely way." Or Fancy, with her gayest smile, would say, "We go together, that neither may fail; we are bound to one another in love and kindness. Fancy lives not as herself away from Reason; and Reason kindly guides, and will assist his little Sister."

Once answered thus, none could help loving them, and they won good-will from all. They rested in the Peasant's cot, and met a generous welcome; they passed the mansion of wealth, and its portals were thrown open for their entrance. The lowly received with humble respect the great with kindly courtesy. Nor did they hasten by without leaving memorials of themselves. Reason would discourse in the way, and his words were received more gladly and treasured more carefully, because Fancy added her gifts. These were intermingled, and stored away together; so that when the young and lighthearted sought pleasure in the gifts of Fancy, they found profit also in the truths of Reason; and when the aged or thoughtful conned again the lessons of Reason, their youth was revived, and their hearts tuned in gayer symphony with the mingled flowers of Fancy.

Thus on they went, dispensing light and favor-receiving love and homage. Onward and now upward still they journeyed, ne'er flagging in the way. They toiled over every difficulty-labored through every trial-braved every danger together in their aims. When Fancy wandered, Reason called her back again; from every danger of the way protected her, and safely bore her through them all. And Fancy watched her Brother's mood, to gather from it how to guide herself. At times she walked by his side, with all the sober gravity of womanhood; forgot her wonted sports; now silent, now shaping a question to the thoughts that shaded Reason's brow. Again, she rambled freely under her Brother's eye, or sat by his side in gayest toilet, and displayed again the yet beauteous flowers she had borne from the garden, or sang to him some story of the past, or spoke of their childhood home. She plucked fresh flowers from the mountain's side, weaved about him those already gathered as they went; or hung a garland o'er his head through which to gaze on those above, or now beneath, to gather in its folds the brightness far below. As Reason found a bauble and wondered how like that was Wisdom's real gem, Fancy painted with her Fairy touch to make it more alike, and stored it with her other treas.