POETRY. 599 



One kiss the maiden gives, one last. 



Long kiss, which she expires in giving ! 



" Sleep," said the Peri, as softly she stole 

 The farewell sigh of that vanishing soul. 

 As true as e'er warm'd a woman's breast— 

 " Sleep on, in visions of odour rest, 

 " In balmier airs than ever yet stirr'd 

 " Th' enchanted pile of that holy bird, 

 " '^V'ho sings at the last his own death lay, 

 " And in music and perfume dies away !" 



Thus saying, from her lips she spread 



Unearthly breathings through the place. 

 And shook her sparkling wreath, and shed 



Such lustre o'er each paly face. 

 That like two lovely saints they seem'd 



Upon the eve of dooms-day taken 

 From their dim graves, in odour sleeping ; — 



While that benevolent Peri beara'd 

 Like their good angel, calmy keeping 



Watch o'er them, till their souls would waken ! 



But moi'n is blushing in the sky ; 



Again the Peri soars above. 

 Bearing to Heav'n that precious sigh 



Qf pure, self-sacrificing love. 

 High throbb'd her heart, with hope elate. 



The Elysian palm she soon shall win. 

 For the bright Spirit at the gate 



Smil'd as she gave that offering in 3 

 And she already hears the trees 



Of Eden, with their crystal bells 

 Ringing in that ambrosial breeze 



That from the Throne of Alla swells ; 

 And she can see the starry bowk 



That lie around that lucid laike. 

 Upon whose banks admitted Souls 



Their first sweet draught of glory take ! 



But ah ! e'en Peri's hopes are vain — 



Again the Fates forbade, again 



Th' immortal barrier clos'd — " Not yet," 



The Angel said as, with regret. 



He shut from her that glimpse of glory — 



" True was the maiden, and her story, 



" Written in light o'er Alla's head, 



" By seraph eyes shall long be read. 



" But, 



