The sudden images of vanish'd things, That o'er the spirit flash, we know not why; A word-scarce noted in its hour perchance, Full of sweet meanings now from this world flown; And the far wanderings of the soul in dreams, And wakening buried love, or joy, or fear,- These are night's mysteries-who shall make them clear? And the strange inborn sense of coming ill, That ofttimes whispers to the haunted breast, In a low tone which nought can drown or still, Midst feasts and melodies a secret guest; Whence doth that murmur wake, that shadow fall? Why shakes the spirit thus ?-'tis mystery all! Darkly we move--we press upon the brink Are those whom death has parted from our lot! Humbly for knowledge strives in vain to feel Th' immortal being with our dust entwin'd ?— So let us deem! and e'en the tears they wake Shall then be blest, for that high nature's sake. n THE DEPARTED. Thou shalt lie down With patriarchs of the infant world-with kings, AND shrink ye from the way BRYANT. To the spirit's distant shore ?- Earth's mightiest men, in arm'd array, Are thither gone before. The warrior kings, whose banner Flew far as eagles fly, They are gone where swords avail them not, From the feast of victory. And the seers who sat of yore By orient palm or wave, They have pass'd with all their starry lore Can ye still fear the grave? We fear! we fear !-the sunshine Is joyous to behold, And we reck not the buried kings, Ye shrink!—the bards whose lays Have made your deep hearts burn, They have left the sun, and the voice of praise, For the land whence none return. And the beautiful, whose record Is the verse that cannot die, They too are gone, with their glorious bloom, From the love of human eye. Would ye not join that throng Of the earth's departed flowers, And the masters of the mighty song Those songs are high and holy, But they vanquish not our fear; Not from our path those flowers are gone We fain would linger here! Linger then yet awhile, As the last leaves on the bough!— Ye have lov'd the light of many a smile, That is taken from you now. There have been sweet singing voices There are seats left void in your earthly homes, |