188 VERSES. 



which is a curious cavern. In the reign of Charles 

 the first, Lord Say and Seale hold the castle for the 

 king; and in the time of William and Mary, the 

 French surprised it by stratagem, and plundered 

 and kept it for some time. 



VERSES. 



A dream steals softly o'er the wearied brain ; 



The heart's quick-throbbing pulses grow more calm ; 

 Life is a lovely phantom once again. 



O! thy sweet voice hath brought this welcome balm 

 Thou soothing sea. 



The lonely musing man is man no more , 



His vagrant thoughts to other climes arc winging 



And every silver gush that bathes the shore. 

 To his rapt soul is wild and swoetly singing 



Some olden strains. 



The distant hills of his own land rise, blue 

 And glorious in their ancientness, around 



The kindred voices that his young life knew 

 Are lulling him, with luxury of sound 



Spell wrought. 



Bright happy faces meet his gazing eye, 

 Even the grave shows kindliness to-day. 



A burst of merry laughter rising nigh 



Is telling of the hearts which feel no sway 



Of mortal gloom. 



Oh! let him dream. Thou lovely sun-lit sea 



Let music still be woven with tliy tide. 

 Break not the wizard charm — for he is free, 



While thus reclining by thine azure side, 



From his heart's chain. 



Oh ! let him dream. ^ Behold there is a brand 



Engraven on his pale and languid brow. 

 His glazed eye and ever burning hand 

 And white convulsive lip proclaim him now 



A care-worn man. 



Franx. 



