462 THE SILVER CHAIN. 



a poem of vast merit a nice dissection of the fluttering repent- 

 ance of an amiable sinner. The poem of Daedalus, whether as an origi- 

 nal, or a translation, contains many and high beauties. The imitation 

 (if it be one) of David lamenting his son Absalom, is very affecting : 



" The unhappy father (but no father now) 



Cries out aloud, ' son Icarus, where art thou, 



Where art thou, Icarus ? where dost thou fly ? 



Icarus, where art ?' when lo ! he doth espy 



The feather's swim : aloud he doth exclaim, 

 *The earth his bones, the sea doth bear his name.' " 



We have extended our remarks far beyond our original intention, but 

 Shakspeare's " red-rose chain" is almost as irresistible as that of Venus. 

 Alas ! that we, who live after him, are only fitted to transcribe fcis 

 beauties^ or enhance his merit,, by the contrast of our vain effusions ! 



M, F. G. 



THE SILVER CHAIN. 



WHEN Beauty owns the power of Love 



Too often Friendship's guest ! 

 Alike the glen, the rock, the grove, 



His monarch sway attest. 

 Tis then that gifts, else valueless, 



A mental one obtain ; 

 And hence I take, for Beauty's sake, 



Such pride in this Silver Chain. 



Fve prized, ere now, the wildling flower 



That in the valley blows ; 

 But then it grew beside the bower 



Where Friendship's fane arose. 

 When smile meets smile, what marvel if 



Young hearts sweet thoughts retain ; 

 And did not thine, dear girl, meet mine, 



As we gazed on this Silver Chain ? 



The Silver Chain is broken now, 



But skill may that repair ; 

 The broken heart, the blighted vow, 



Belong but to despair. 

 Then, lady, let the voice of song 



Go forth not all in vain ; 

 Alas ! for hearts, when once there parts 



One link of Love's Silver Chain ! H. B, 



