172 IN IMITATION OF KÖRNER'S "DAS WARST DU." VI. At last I went, my sail unfurling, On life's first billowy waves alone, Light breezes were the waters curling, With radiance like its own. VII. Oh, still that form my spirit haunted, Though its deep semblance scarce was known, Thy steps were on the light clouds planted, And what of sweetness music chanted Seem'd borrow'd from thine own. VIII. Beloved, that was blest, but sadness Broods alway o'er the heart's unknown: Now dreams have pass'd, and springs of gladness, What joy-springs are mine own. IX. Ah! life's rough billows swell for ever, And years will fly as years have flown, And youth fleets on, yet never, never, Can time or distance thee dissever, Beloved, from thine own. X. And still thy form in light arises, Like trancing music round me thrown, And though the voice thyself surprises, Thy fond love breaks through all disguises, And whispers, "All thine own." Watton, 1844. ON SEEING A LEAF FALL BY MOON LIGHT. I. OH, bright was the hour when thou wast born, And the winds sang peace to the blushing morn Who stepp'd o'er the clouds at their matin call: But ne'er may the memory of days gone by Save the victim of death when his hour is nigh; And vain was the warmth of thy natal sky; The moonlight saw thee fall. II. Thy youth it was spent in dance and glee, With thy leaflet brothers embowering thee, Happiness trembling o'er one and all: But the loveliest dreams must fade away, And our comrades, ah, tell me, where are they? Links are broken to-morrow, though twined to-day; The moonlight saw thee fall. III. Thou hast stood the cloud and the dashing rain, And the night vainly spread her funeral pall: Thou hast stood the tempest, when strong hearts quake, But the moonlight saw thee fall. Watton, 1844. FRAGMENTS. FOR though the skirts of the far tempest oft We scarce can say that we have suffer'd ; — all Seems centred so within us, and the waves Swell in so narrow and so small a world, That what hath moved us scarce can ask the name Of suffering. strong Sunny hath been my home of childhood- |