394 Prose by a Versifier, and Verse by a Proser : £Oct. 



To gaze upon me with their piercing eyes. 

 As they would look into my very soul. 



Oft have I lain upon some giddy height, 

 While the blind clouds came creeping up the sky. 

 Till darkness clung around me like a pall, 

 To watch the awtul comhig of the winds. 

 Gathering in hosts for battle : — first a voice. 

 As of a muttered charm, came o'er the deep. 

 And the dull caves gave back the sullen sound ; 

 Then came a pause — a silent, trembling pause — 

 And all was hushed in fearful expectation. 

 Till the fierce winds sprang forth, and with a shout 

 Leaped on the dark strong sea. Deep called to deep. 

 With voice of living thunder, till the void. 

 The black abysm of night, rang like a dome. 

 — It was my pleasure, in a scene like this. 

 To lean secure upon the imminent verge 

 Of the ineffable conflict, hung above 

 The hell of winds and waters, while the rock. 

 The rooted rock, shook with their awful rage ; — 

 To bid my busy fancy fill the gloom 

 With ghastly forms, the leaders of the fight, 

 Till the dark depths grew .populous — for I deeiiied 

 That of themselves the quiet elements 

 Would rest at peace for ever, did not they 

 Whom thus I bodied forth, disturb their sleep. 

 And fill their tranquil breasts with evil thoughts. 

 And goad them into fury. At my call, 

 Abaddon came, and Moloch, aTid the host 

 Outcast from heaven, and in the whirling storm 

 Closed in immortal battle once again. 



I well remember, on a night like this. 

 While, as my custom was, I lay reclined 

 Within ray shallow cave, scooped from the face 

 Of a tall cliff, high hanging o'er the sea, 

 A flash leaped suddenly forth from the gloom — 

 Another — and another ! and I saw. 

 Dizzily poised upon the reeling waves, 

 A goodly ship. Ere I could frame a thought — 

 Before my heart could pray for her — the deep 

 Had swallowed her for ever ; one shrill cry. 

 Half-strangled by the waters, was her knell. 

 — And this is awfid knowledge ! this the wisdom 

 That would control the elements — the courage 

 That fain would look the Omnipotent in the face. 

 And beard him with invention ! What availed 

 The lofty beauty of her stately masts — 

 Her graceful siviftness — her white-bosomed sails — 

 Her cannon pouring thunder .'' She was trampled 

 By the fierce combatants, as if in scorn ; 

 The swift winds dashed her down, the mighty waves 

 Swallowed her in their fury, and the battle 

 Raged on as though she never had been there. 



Alas ! what prayers went up for thee in vain. 

 While death was dealing with thee ! Many a night 

 Will find fair mourners on the lofty cliff. 

 Lingering in vain, sick with fond hope deferred, — 

 Or pacing slowly to their lonely homes, 

 To dream of those who come not. What strange crime 



