By observations transient as the glance On whose soft leaves it hangs, and from whose cup Endeared my wanderings; and the Mother's kiss, And Infant's smile, awaited my return. In privacy we dwelt — a wedded pair By the endearing names of nature bound, Between their several births than served for One To establish something of a leader's sway; Yet left them joined by sympathy in age; Equals in pleasure, fellows in pursuit. It soothes me to perceive, Your courtesy withholds not from my words Maintained with faithful care. And you divine The worst effects that our condition saw If you imagine changes slowly wrought, Not wished for, sometimes noticed with a sigh, And loveliness endeared- which they removed. Seven years of occupation undisturbed Established seemingly a right to hold That happiness; and use and habit gave To what an alien spirit had acquired A patrimonial sanctity. And thus, With thoughts and wishes bounded to this world, I lived and breathed; most grateful, if to enjoy Without repining or desire for more, For different lot, or change to higher sphere, With no determined object, though upheld Most grateful, if in such wise to enjoy Be proof of gratitude for what we have; Her cheek to change its colour, was conveyed Where height, or depth, admits not the approach Of living Man, though longing to pursue. With even as brief a warning — and how soon, With what short interval of time between, I tremble yet to think of— our last prop, The Brother followed; and was seen no more! Calm as a frozen Lake when ruthless Winds Blow fiercely, agitating earth and sky, The Mother now remained; as if in her, Who, to the lowest region of the soul, Had been erewhile unsettled and disturbed, This second visitation had no power To shake; but only to bind up and seal; And to establish thankfulness of heart In Heaven's determinations, ever just. The eminence on which her spirit stood, Mine was unable to attain. The space that severed us! Immense But, as the sight Communicates with Heaven's etherial orbs That consolation may descend from far; Insensibly; the immortal and divine Yielded to mortal reflux; her pure Glory, And keen heart-anguish-of itself ashamed, And, so consumed, She melted from my arms; What followed cannot be reviewed in thought; I call'd on dreams and visions, to disclose That which is veiled from waking thought; conjured Eternity, as men constrain a Ghost To appear and answer; to the grave I spake Imploringly ;- looked up, and asked the Heavens If Angels traversed their cerulean floors, If fixed or wandering Star could tidings yield It occupies what consciousness retains |