Commanding fires of death to light By torch and trumpet fast array'd, Then shook the hills with thunder riven, But redder yet that light shall glow 'Tis morn, but scarce yon level sun Few, few, shall part where many meet! EXILE OF ERIN. THERE came to the beach a poor Exile of Erin, Never again, in the green sunny bowers, Where my forefathers lived, shall I spend the sweet hours, Erin, my country! though sad and forsaken, And sigh for the friends who can meet me no more! In a mansion of peace-where no perils can chase me? THE SOLDIER'S DREAM. OUR bugles sang truce-for the night-cloud had lower'd, When reposing that night on my pallet of straw, Methought from the battle-field's dreadful array, I flew to the pleasant fields traversed so oft In life's morning march, when my bosom was young; I heard my own mountain-goats bleating aloft, And knew the sweet strain that the corn-reapers sung. Then pledged we the wine-cup, and fondly I swore, From my home and my weeping friends never to part; My little ones kissed me a thousand times o'er, And my wife sobb'd aloud in her fulness of heart. Stay, stay with us,-rest, thou art weary and worn ; But sorrow returned with the dawning of morn, Noel Thomas Carrington. { Born 1777. A DEVONSHIRE poet who followed the profession of schoolmaster at Plymouth. He has very pleasingly depicted the scenery of his native county in his poem of "Dartmoor." THE PIXIES OF DEVON. THEY are flown, Beautiful fictions of our fathers, wove In Superstition's web when Time was young, And night is strangely mute! the hymnings high- Have ravished oft, are flown! O ye have lost, The very streams Ethereal creatures! They were seen to rise From the charmed waters, which still brighter grew Thomas Moore. Born 1779 Died 1852. MOORE was born in Dublin, on 28th May 1779. His parents were Catholics and in humble circumstances, but gave him a tolerably good education; and in 1793, when the University of Dublin was opened to Catholics, he was sent there. He speedily distinguished himself by his classical attainments, but narrowly escaped a Government prosecution for treason, of which, indeed, he was not quite guiltless. In 1793 he contributed verses of considerable merit to a periodical called " Anthologia Hibernica ;" and in 1799 he removed to London, where appeared his translation of Anacreon, dedicated by permission to the Prince of Wales, which brought him into notice. His singing, too, became the rage in fashionable circles; and so popular was he that he obtained the appointment of AdmiraltyRegistrar for Bermuda, with a handsome salary. He set out for Bermuda in 1804, but wearying of the place he returned to England, leaving his duties to be performed by a deputy. On his return from Bermuda he published two volumes of poems, which were most unmercifully treated by the "Edinburgh Review." Moore considered the criticism as so personal that he sent a challenge to Jeffrey the editor, and a meeting was arranged; but while the seconds were loading the pistols, Moore and Jeffrey got into an agreeable chat, which was only interrupted by the arrival of the police, who carried them off to Bow Street: the matter was ultimately arranged, and the pair became fast friends ever after. In 1811, Moore married Miss Bessy Dyke, a lady who had attained some distinction on the Irish stage; she was a most suitable wife, and made for him a happy home. In 1807, Moore commenced his "Irish Melodies," a noble and patriotic work, which met with a most enthusiastic reception, especially from his countrymen; the first part was published in 1813, and the last part in 1834. In 1812, Moore commenced a series of satirical effusions which met with prodigious success: the wit, ease, and playfulness of the satire captivated every circle; and the poet's reputation was such that a friend was able to make an arrangement with Murray the publisher for Moore to write an Eastern romance in poetry, and to get for it the sum of three thousand guineas. This, for a poem yet unwritten, is one of the most striking events in poetical history. The poem was finished and published in 1817. It had a wonderful sale-six editions were sold in as many months; and the truth of the descriptions were the wonder and delight of Orientalists, who knew Moore had never been in the East; even Jeffrey hailed it "as the finest Orientalism we have had yet." Moore's star was at its zenith, when notice arrived of the fraud of his deputy in Bermuda, entailing on him a loss of L.6000. An attachment was issued against his person, and Moore left for Paris; but by the kindness of friends he was ultimately enabled to compromise and settle the matter. Whilst on the Continent he composed "The Epicurean," a prose story, and "The Loves of the Angels," published in 1823. Moore's circumstances were not such as to free his mind from anxiety; and on a hint to this effect to Lord John Russell, he in 1835 received a pension of L.300 a-year from Government. During the rest of his career Moore was chiefly engaged as a prose writer; his Life of Sheridan, and Life of Lord Byron, are among the best of his works at this period, In 1838 he resolved on a visit to Ireland: the news preceded him, and wherever he appeared he was greeted with rapturous enthusiasm; processions met him, triumphal arches were erected where he went, and if applause could give happiness he was at the summit of earthly felicity. The closing years of Moore's life were sad and melancholy: his children one by one sunk into the grave, and a settled depression gathered over the poet's mind, deepening as he drew near his end. He died on 25th February 1852. FROM "THE FIRE-WORSHIPPERS." Had she beheld him pale as now: But sadden every waking scene, All withered where they once have been! Oft, in my fancy's wanderings Were wafted off to seas unknown, A Paradise so pure and lonely! His eyes met hers, that smile was gone; |