It was in this lone valley she would charm The ling'ring noon, where flow'rs a couch had strown; Her cheek reclining, and her snowy arm On hillock by the palm-tree half o'ergrown : And aye that volume on her lap is thrown GERTRUDE OF WYOMING. Which every heart of human mould endears; With Shakespeare's self she speaks and smiles alone, To shame th' unconscious laugh, or stop her sweetest tears. For, save her presence, scarce an ear had heard Like atoms of the rainbow, fluttering round; A steed, whose rein hung loosely o'er his arm, For Albert's home he sought-her finger fair Nor joyless, by the converse, understood, Between the man of age and pilgrim young, That gay congeniality of mood, And early liking from acquaintance sprung: Full fluently conversed their guest in England's tongue. GERTRUDE OF WYOMING. And well could he his pilgrimage of taste Of climes, and manners, o'er the eastern main :- Nor less each rural image he design'd, Than all the city's pomp and home of human kind. Anon some wilder portraiture he draws; Nor voice nor living motion marks around ; But storks that to the boundless forest shriek ; Pleased with his guest, the good man still would ply A strange and troubling wonder stopt her short. An orphan's name (quoth Albert) mayst have known: Sad tale!-when latest fell our frontier fort, One innocent-one soldier's child-alone Was spared, and brought to me, who loved him as my own. 66 Young Henry Waldegrave three delightful years These very walls his infant sports did see; But most I loved him when his parting tears Alternately bedew'd my child and me: SWEET SPIRIT OF MY LOVE. His sorest parting, Gertrude, was from thee; His face the wand'rer hid; but could not hide At once his open arms embraced the pair, Was never group more blest, in this wide world of care. SWEET SPIRIT OF MY LOVE. SWEET Spirit of my love! Nor see love-thinking light thine eye: My bravest dreams of thee are rife, Thomas Campbell SWEET SPIRIT OF MY LOVE. Sweet Spirit of my love! I know how beautiful thou art, But never tell the starry thought: I only whisper to my heart, "She lights with heaven thy earthliest spot." And birds that night and day rejoice, And fragrant winds, give back to me A music ringing of thy voice, And surge my heart's love-tide to thee. Sweet Spirit of my love! The Spring and Summer bloom-bedight, The flashing waters,-soughing tree,- Sweet Spirit of my love! When Night's soft silence clothes the earth, Sweet Spirit of my love! I listen for thy footfall,- feel Thy look is burning on me, such And throb, expectant for thy touch! |