ANTIQUE GREEK LAMENT. By the blue waters-the restless ocean waters, I pine for thee through all the joyless day— Through the long night I pine:—the golden sun Looks dim since thou hast left me, and the spring Seems but to weep.—Where art thou, my beloved?Night after night, in fond hope vigilant, By the old temple on the breezy cliff, These hands have heap'd the watch-fire, till it stream'd Red o'er the shining columns-darkly red Along the crested billows!—but in vain ; Thy white sail comes not from the distant isles Yet thou wert faithful ever. O! the deep Hath shut above thy head-that graceful head; By the blue waters-the restless ocean waters, Where art thou-where ?—had I but lingering prest On thy cold lips the last long kiss,—but smooth'd The parted ringlets of thy shining hair With love's fond touch, my heart's cry had been still'd Into a voiceless grief;-I would have strew'd White violets, and the mournful hyacinth, In slumber beautiful!—I would have heap'd -But thou liest far away!-No funeral chant, By the blue waters-the restless ocean waters, Come, in the dreamy shadow of the night, Which knows not how the festal sunshine burns If yet, in some pale mead of Asphodel, We two shall meet again !—O! I would quit The day, rejoicingly, the rosy light, All the rich flowers and fountains musical, And sweet familiar melodies of earth, To dwell with thee below.-Thou answerest not! The powers, whom I have call'd upon are mute: The voices buried in old whispery caves, And by lone river-sources, and amidst The gloom and mist'ry of dark, prophet-oaks, Whose laurels wail thee with a shivering sound !— Through the long night I pine,—as fondly pines To song in moonlight woods.-Thou hear'st me not! The deep sea-darkness is about thy head; The white sail never will bring back the loved! By the blue waters-the restless ocean waters, TO A PICTURE OF THE MADONNA. Ave Maria! May our spirits dare Look up to thine, and to thy Son's above? BYRON. FAIR vision! thou'rt from sunny skies, The light that is but of a dream. Far hence, where wandering music fills Or where Venetian waves of yore |