BEAUTY. I. Oh! brighter than the brightest star, That glimmers through the haze of night, When the blue vault of heaven afar Is studded o'er with silver light ; And brighter than that brilliant sky, May be the glance of woman's eye. II. Oh ! lovely as the golden ray Of sunshine sleeping on the glade, When morning brightens into day, And in its radiance melts the shade; And lovelier than that gorgeous sun, May be the smile from woman won. III. But beauty shines not, may not shine, In brightness from a woman's eye ; Nor does she in a smile recline, Bloomi flowerets do, to die. All earth-born charms shall fade in death, IV. She dwells but in the pious mind, Apart for ever from decay, That shines • unto the perfect day.' William Anderson. DISSENSION FROM CALUMNY. Alas! they had been friends in youth; They parted-ne'er to meet again! I ween, Coleridge. MUSIC. Nay, tell me not of lordly halls ! My Minstrels are the trees, The moss and the rock are my tapestried walls, Earth's sounds my symphonies. There's music sweeter to my soul In the weed by the wild wind fanned In the heave of the surge, than ever stole From mortal minstrel's hand. There's mighty music in the roar Of the oaks on the mountain's side, When the whirlwind bursts on their foreheads hoar, And the lightnings dash blue and wide. There's mighty music in the swell Of Winter's midnight wave When all above is the thunder peal, And all below is the grave. There's music in the city's hum, Heard in the noontide glare, On the breast of the sultry air. There's music in the mournful swing Of the lonely village bell, Released by its solemn knell. There's music in the forest-stream, As it plays through the deep ravine, Where never Summer's breath or beam Has pierced its woodland screen. There's music in the thundering sweep Of the mountain waterfall, From the brow of its marble wall. There's music in the dawning morn, Ere the lark his pinion dries'Tis the rush of the breeze through the dewy corn Through the garden's perfumed dyes. There's music on the twilight cloud, As the clanging wild swans spring, Like squadrons upon the wing. There's music in the depth of night, When the world is still and dim, Anon. |