Pouring down tears and blood. Slowly

The form recedes, it faints, it fades, - departs,
With warning gesture, the Imperial tent.

The monarch started from his couch, - the light
Of that pale lamp shining so placidly.
The tents oppressive atmosphere, untemper'd
In that fierce clime by breath of Eolus,
Fever'd his weary spirits, and he rush'd
Forth from the camp, and was alone with Nature.
How beautiful that dome of southern starlight!
Moonless, nor streak'd by tint of lingering day;
But glowing like a mine of diamonds,

Whose rays fall mirror'd on the sparry floor:
Orb circling orb, like the bright eyes of angels
Looking down calmly on mortality.

But earth show'd not her wonted loveliness:

War, the destroyer, had been there; his shade
Stalk'd o'er her plains as though some mighty giant
Trampled their flowers and wither'd up their beauty.
Nor grove, nor grain, nor herb of generous juice,
Which might allay the dying camel's thirst,
Remnant nor wreck remain'd there - all was bare:
Nor cottage roof, nor fane, nor palace dome,

Stood there; nor fount, nor Temple of the Sun:
Nought met the gaze but one vast burning desert,
Where the sick reptile in the dust expired.

Then rose the hot wind from those arid plains,
Laden with faintness; with it numerous fire-flies,
Making the atmosphere all luminous,

And floating in it like a starry network,
Seem'd the bright halo of departing life.

No sound came from that huge encamped host,
Save when, perchance, the steed neigh'd loud and shrill,
Or the retiring guard clang'd his steel armour;
And these re-echoed with a clear response,
Marking the intervals of that great stillness.
Julian stood there alone. He gazed on heaven,

All there was glorious; —he gazed and worshipp'd:
"Ye gods! whose everlasting shrines are there,
"Fix'd in the firmament; - whose sovereignty
"Pervades the universe; making the earth,
"The heavens, yon shining orbs, the elements,
"One boundless, one imperishable fane:
"Divinities! beneath whose sacred ensigns

"Rome the triumphant hath subdued the world:
"Oh

ye immutable gods! whom I have served, "Amidst this impious age, devotedly;

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Making your altars, newly broken down,

"To smoke with the rich steam of sacrifice:

"Grant that I fall as I have reign'd — in glory!

"Fate nears with rapid steps; yon midnight shades "Fleet not more fast before the eye of day "Than come the heralds of my destiny:

“In dreams, in auguries, ye have reveal'd it, "In silent signs which came to haunt my slumber; "Then let me set full in my noon of fame,

"Fall on my shield, and sleep amidst the Cæsars ! "Rome let my name be then enroll'd with thine; "I would have made thee that thou ne'er shalt be "Had not stern fate forbade it; - but 'tis past "I weep for thee, yet ask not for thy tears; "Weep for thy sons and their apostasy. "Forsaken of the gods! on thee shall dawn "Never again thy once resplendent star:

"I have not dimm'd its lustre ; I have borne

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Thy ponderous sceptre others soon may break; "And thou wilt cast some wreaths on Julian's bier.

"Oh! that my death could purchase thee one hour, "Such as the Antonines and Hadrian saw:

"But they are gone for ever; and the time, "Though lowering in thy horizon's verge, shall come,

"When thou shalt be but an immortal name !

"Eternal gods! yet-yet one palpable sign "Big with futurity."

Lo! 'thwart the sky,

Rapid and bright, a blazing meteor rush'd;
Marking its broad track on that star-lit vault
From east to west; then sinking suddenly
In depths of night, leaving no trace behind:
Whilst Jove replied in thunders.

Julian bow'd

His forehead to the earth; his spirit knew
The angry aspect of the god of war,
Wrathful and menacing, yet trembled not;
But, with erected form, and mind as calm,
He gazed again upon the tranquil heavens.

ANGELICA.

SHE stole upon us like the light
Of stars upon a summer night;
Or like the moon's soft tranquil ray

When day's bright beams have pass'd away.

So calm, so saintlike, so serene,

Almost unfelt, almost unseen,

Yet fixing round our hearts, secure,
A link so changeless, dear, and pure,
We only sigh to feel again

The gentle power that wove the chain.
Her beauty was of that pure kind
Which only seeks to cheer the mind;

Like flowers that bloom amid the shade,

Their loveliness but half display'd,

Though yielding a perfume more rare
Than those which court the sun-light's glare.
She faded too; so sweetly mild,

'Twas like the slumber of a child