POETRY. 557 



His countenance was lightning, and his vest 

 Lilce snow at sunrise on the mountain's crest ; 

 Yet so benignly beautiful his form, 

 His presence still'd the fury of the storm ; 

 At once the winds retire, the waters cease ; 

 His look was love, his salutation " Peace 1" 



" Our Mother first beheld him, sore araaz'd, 

 But terror grew to transport, while she gaz'd: 

 — • 'Tis He, the Prince of Seraphim, who drove 



• Our banish'd feet from Eden's happy grove ; 



' Adam, my Life, my Spouse, awake !' she cried ; 



• Return to Paradise; behold thy Guide! 

 ' O let me follow in this dear embrace :' 

 She sunk, and on his bosom hid her face. 

 Adam look'd up ; his visage chang'd its hue, 

 Transforra'd into an Angel's at the view : 



• I come !' he cried, with faith's full triumph fired, 

 And in a sigh of ecstacy expired. 



The light was vanished, and the vision fled ; 

 We stood alone, the living with the dead : 

 The ruddy embers, glimmering round the room, 

 Display'd the corpse amidst the solemn gloom ; 

 But o'er the scene a holy calm reposed, 

 The gate of heaven had opened there, and closed. 



" Eve's faithful arm still clasp'd her lifeless Spouse : 

 Gently I shook it, from her trance to rouse ; 

 She gave no answer ; motionless and cold. 

 It fell like clay from my relaxing hold ; 

 Alarm'd I lifted up the locks of grey 

 That hid her cheek ; her soul had pass'd away ; 

 A beauteous corse she graced her partner's side, 

 Love bound their lives, and Death could not divide. 



" Trembling astonishment of grief we felt, 

 Till Nature's sympathies began to melt ; 

 We wept in stillness through the long dark night : 

 — And O how welcome was the morning light I" 



