230 RETROSPECTION. 



And now Saint Peter at heav'n's wicket seems ,, . ;. 



To wait them with his keys, and now at foot 



Of heav'n's ascent they lift their feet, when, Lo! 



A violent cross wind from either coast 



Blows them transverse, ten thousand leagues away, 



Into tlie devious air. 



Milton. 



RETROSPECTION. 



I sat on an island that peered midst the ocean. 

 And watched its bright bosom as heaving it lay. 



Unconscious my heart beat anon to its motion, 

 As I thought on my dearest one — far, far away. 



T was eve — and the twilight had soothed into slumber 

 Each echoing voice in the woodland and dell; 



It seemed as though I stood alone from their number, 

 To muse undisturbed on that one loved so well. 



Why has Destiny fixed this stem barrier round me? 



I exclaimed, as each vision of Youth crossed my brain, 

 And why has Despair thus so speedily found me ? 



To embitter my hopes with the keenest of pain. 'li. l 



How sweet were those days, when the sun was declining, 

 As we strolled forth alone *neath the shade of the grove ; 



Where the flowerets' perfume and the zephyrs combining. 

 Gave Heaven-like joys to the soft tale of love. 



But why does my heart still so sorrow and languish ? 



Will distance diminish the truth of her vow ? 

 Can her heart be free from all sadness and anguish ? 



Then Memory soothe me — and Hope welcome now. 



Though Solitude still may her cares fling around me, 

 I '11 spurn them with vigour, — why should I repine ? 



Though neglect may perplex, and its shafts still surround me, 

 There still lives a heart I can truly call mine. 



G. 



