78 valley. These were contrasted with the grand flowing outline of the mountains to our right, and the exquisite refinement and variety of the light that spread itself over their gigantic sides. Far to the left, the sea was again disclosed to our view, and behind us was the Scalp, like the outlet from Paradise into the wide world of thorns and briars. A BIRTH-DAY POEM. Oh have you not heard of the harp that lay By twilight lone up the mountain yonder ? How that wild harp came there not the wisest can know, The eagle's down on the strings that lay Proved he there had awaited the dawning ray; But no track could be seen, nor a footstep was near, On our mountain's brow, or our valleys green ; The wind it rose strong, and the wind it rose fast, Quick on the harp it came swinging, swinging- Then away through the strings it went singing, singing, Till a peal there arose so lofty and loud That the eagle hung breathless upon his cloud, And away through the strings the wind it went sweeping It spoke, it spoke "I am the spirit of Erin's might, That brighten'd in peace, and that nerved her in fight-- The spirit that lives in the blast of the mountain, And tunes her voice to the roll of the fountain The spirit of giddy and frantic gladness The spirit of most heart-rending sadness- The spirit of heroes thundering on And though my voice is seldom heard, I tell thee, stranger, I have sung And Genius came from Scotland's hills She moves with her bounding mountain-grace, Tell the maid-I claim her mine For Erin it is her's to shine; And, that she still increase her store Of intellect and fancy's lore, Oh my love has an eye of the softest blue, Yet it was not that that won me; But a little bright drop from her soul was there'Tis that that has undone me. II. I might have pass'd that lovely cheek, Nor, perchance, my heart have left me; But the sensitive blush that came trembling there, Of my heart it forever bereft me. III. I might have forgotten that red, red lip Yet how from the thought to sever? But there was a smile from the sunshine within, And that smile I'll remember for ever. IV. Think not 'tis nothing but lifeless clay, V. Let me not hear the nightingale sing, Though I once in its notes delighted; The feeling and mind that comes whispering forth, 81 |