I. S SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY. HE walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that's best of dark and bright Meet in her aspect and her eyes: Thus mellow'd to that tender light Which heaven to gaudy day denies. One shade the more, one ray the less, Or softly lightens o'er her face; And on that cheek, and o'er that brow, A mind at peace with all below, A heart whose love is innocent! 8 II. THE HARP THE MONARCH MINSTREL SWEPT. HE harp the monarch minstrel swept, The King of men, the loved of Heaven, Which Music hallow'd while she wept O'er tones her heart of hearts had given, Redoubled be her tears, its chords are riven! It soften'd men of iron mould, It gave them virtues not their own; No ear so dull, no soul so cold, That felt not, fired not to the tone, Till David's lyre grew mightier than his throne! It told the triumphs of our King, It made our gladden'd valleys ring, The cedars bow, the mountains nod; Its sound aspired to Heaven and there abode! Since then, though heard on earth no more, Devotion and her daughter Love, Still bid the bursting spirit soar To sounds that seem as from above, In dreams that day's broad light can not remove. III. IF THAT HIGH WORLD. that high world, which lies beyond Our own, surviving Love endears; If there the cherish'd heart be fond, The eye the same, except in tearsHow welcome those untrodden spheres! How sweet this very hour to die! To soar from earth and find all fears Lost in thy light-Eternity! It must be so: 't is not for self Yet cling to Being's severing link. To hold each heart the heart that shares, With them the immortal waters drink, And soul in soul grow deathless theirs! IV. THE WILD GAZELLE. HE wild gazelle on Judah's hills And drink from all the living rills That gush on holy ground; Its airy step and glorious eye May glance in tameless transport by: |