354 'Nocemltw Walk. [APRIL, 



The lonely herd-boy on the hill 

 Would couch him down, and listen still, 

 As, borne upon the fragrant gale, 

 Their softened tones came up the vale ; 

 And pious bands that went to pray, 

 Then filled this long devoted way. 



What though, to indolence resigned, 

 The powers of many a noble mind 

 Within these walls inactive pined ; 

 Though worldly strife and toil demand 

 The youthful heart and valiant hand 

 Methinks, at age's twilight close, 

 'Twere pleasant thus to seek repose 

 When those we loved were cold in clay, 

 And Fortune's smiles had passed away 

 How blest, amongst the calm and good, 

 In some such social solitude, 

 To learn Devotion's deeper tone, 

 With feelings all before unknown 

 To list the organ-peal on high, 

 Those notes that seem to pierce the sky ; 

 Till all of earth should disappear, 

 And Heaven possess heart, eye, and ear! 

 Or, leaning o'er a brother's tomb 

 In pensive evening's silent gloom, 

 Look back on many a year passed by, 

 When all our lost loved friends were nigh; 

 When blithe we passed the festive night, 

 O'er flowing wine-cups sparkling bright, 

 And woke the gay or plaintive strain, 

 That never shall be heard again ! 

 And then to dream of those who wore 



The charms that won our hearts of yore 



Those young fair forms, with whom we past 

 The hours that vanished all too fast ; 

 When life and love were in their prime, 

 And hearts unvexed by care or crime. 

 Such charms as theirs can others wear ? 

 Is aught on earth so good and fair? 

 Ah ! no the face of beauty now 

 Hath ceased to wear its magic glow ; 

 Fainter rays from young eyes break, 

 And paler blushes tint the cheek 

 As if the fire of Nature grew 

 Exhausted, faint, and powerless too. 



Such human thoughts might sometimes steal 

 To bosoms that were wont to feel 

 Friendship and love and Heaven look down 

 On such frail hour without a frown ! 



^ Twas thus I mused ! Night bhcker grew; 

 Each object faded from my view. 

 Far back my long and lorrely way 

 By wood and wild all darkly lay ; 

 And misty rain fell fast and chill, 

 As rushed the loud blast from the hill. 

 But warm in wintry veit arrayed, 

 And cloak of Scotia's mountain -plaid, 

 Unheeding of the storm, 1 passed, 

 And reached my lowly home at last. N.B. 



