IX.

But when Grief's wild ruthless hand

Doth its tremulous chords command,

They break in her clasp,

For so rude a grasp

They never were formed to withstand, Mary!

X.

Then do not love the Lyre,

Those strains the Nine inspire,

But beware the spell,

Some have proved too well,

Nor follow a wandering fire, Mary!

X.

MY RACE IS ALMOST RUN.

I.

My race is almost run, my days are nearly done,
Yet my heart still is buoyant, my spirits are light,-

It is but as the blaze of a dying taper's rays,

Life's last vivid flash ere it fades into night!

II.

In my day-spring of youth, with a bosom full of truth, And feelings unwarped or unwithered by wrong;

With

every sail unfurled, o'er the waves of the world My bark of existence sped gaily along.

III.

My pilot was Hope, and I fancied I could cope,

If guided by him, with that storm-troubled sea;

Till dashed on Passion's rock, and shattered by the

shock,

I soon found how unskilful a helmsman was he.

IV.

But years have flitted past, and tried in many a blast We both have grown wiser and steadier than of yore; The rack hath o'er us rolled, and now cheerily we hold For a haven from whence we shall wander no more.

V.

My days are well nigh done, my goal will soon be won,
And repose from the buffets of Fortune be mine,
Where Hate, however fierce, or Sorrow may not pierce
To bid
my cold bosom a moment repine.

VI.

O Death! I can brook on thine awful front to look, And can turn to thee now with a heart void of gloom, To him whom Time can bring no balsam on its wing;

There sure must be healing and rest in the tomb.

XI.

YES, METHINKS THAT I COULD.

I.

YES, methinks that I could without weeping resign Both thy beautiful eyes, though so fondly they

languish ;

And thy lips, though they often have murmured to mine

The soft tones of delight, I could lose without

anguish !

II.

To be brief: thou hast held so ungentle a sway

O'er the heart that was given by Love to thy keeping, That at length from thy chains it hath stolen away,

And methinks I might learn-to lose ALL without weeping!

XII.

RETOUCH, SWEET FRIEND-RETOUCH THE LUTE.

I.

RETOUCH, Sweet Friend-retouch the Lute,

Its tones may turn thy thoughts on me; Let not its chords be longer mute;

Remember, 'twas my gift to thee!

Wake then its wildest, sweetest strain,
And bid the past be ours again!

II.

Oh might it yield an answering sound
To all my wishes, hopes, and fears;
Nor e'er be mute or tuneless found

Till I forget thy parting tears;
Then would thy life, beloved, be
One round of tenderest minstrelsy!