A voice came from the threshold stone Oh, I defy thee, Hell, to show, An humbler heart, a deeper woe. XXIII. Father, I firmly do believe- I know-for death who comes for me A snare in every human path; M TO THE RIVER I. FAIR River, in thy bright clear flow II. But when within thy wave she looks, Her image deeply lies His heart, which trembles at the beam Of her soul-searching eyes. TO I. THE bowers, whereat, in dreams, I see The wantonest singing birds, Are lips, and all thy melody Of lip-begotten words. II. Thine eyes, in heaven of heart enshrined, Then desolately fall, O God! on my funereal mind Like starlight on a pall. III. Thy heart-thy heart!—I wake and sigh, And sleep to dream till day Of the truth that gold can never buy— Of the baubles that it may. A DREA M. I. IN visions of the dark night, I have dreamed of joy departed; But a waking dream of life and light Hath left me broken-hearted. II. Ah! what is not a dream by day III. That holy dream-that holy dream, While all the world were chiding, Hath cheered me as a lovely beam A lonely spirit guiding. |