And I have seen the bark, that braved Unhurt the waves and billows round it, As if when near the tempest raved, Some hallowed spell of safety bound it, Gliding along in summer days, Upon a fair and stormless ocean, Its full sails set, and the white maze Still closing o'er its briny track ; But I have seen its glory failing, While through the sunny air came back Are not these things like to the heart, That feels 'tis on the way to heaven? That thinks it never can depart From its bright course ?-that heart has striven With vast temptations,-conquered all, And proud of its own power to crush them, Believes that it can never fall; And strives not in its depths to hush them, And knows not they are whispering Delusively, till they have bound it, So that it fails to use its wing,— So that the crimes of earth may wound it; And then the dream so long it cherished, Its pride, its glory,-all are perished! THE DREAM OF THE DYING. Our life is twofold: sleep hath its own world, And dreams in their development have breath, And tears, and tortures, and the touch of joy. they become A portion of ourselves as of our time, And look like heralds of eternity! NAY, tell me not of life! I know it may not be; And it is such a scene of strife, Is not my cheek fast fading, Is not a dimness shading The lustre of mine eyes? BYRON. Nay, pray not I may yet Rejoin the world again; Gladly would I at once forget Life and its galling chain! And I have seen a vision,— And I have dreamed a dream, And sure that hour Elysian Was no deceiving beam! There stood a spirit there, Before my sleeping sight, And her voice had not a tone of care, And her form was pure and bright: "Rejoice thee !" said the stranger, Thy friends are free from danger, And soon I come for thee! |