238 The Lover's Grave. [MARCH, 



Down the cheeks,, like dew on roses, 



Tears in floods of anguish ran ; 

 Lips, like buds that morn uncloses, 



Were with early sorrow wan. 

 " Dry those tears, thou lovely stranger ! 



Taste the grape, and taste the wine : 

 Courts and kings may think of danger 



Safety dwells in roofs like mine !" 



Of the purple grape she tasted 



Tasted of the purple wine ; 

 Still she saw the fruits unwasted 



.Still the brimming goblet shine. 

 Hark ! what sounds are round her flowing ? 



See what shapes are on the wind ! 

 Such were once the visions glowing 



On the maiden's midnight mind. 



To the silver sounds ascending, 



Now the cottage walls arise ; t 



Now the roof is o'er her bending, 



Azure as the evening skies ; 

 Painted with a thousand glories, 



Lovely as the evening cloud ; 

 Virtue's high, heroic stories, 



In the sapphire vault embowed. 



What are round her ? Rosy pinions, 

 Waving o'er a pearly car 



Stooping from their blue dominions- 

 Children of the Vesper Star ! 



Where once stood the shepherd beaming, 

 Stands a spirit, winged and crowned j 



In his hand the sceptre gleaming 

 On his brow the star-drops bound. 



" Come," he cries, " thou lovely maiden ! 



Come, and be thy lover's bride ; 

 Long, with faithful woe o'erladen, 



Hast thou sought me where I died : 

 Now ascend to Paradise I" 



From her shoulders sprang the plume ; 

 Upward to the opening skies 



Soared she from her Lover's Tomb ! 



