NIGHT ON THE PRAIRIE. 275 



IV. 



But, why thus fear ? Give place, ye visions dread ! 



Ye thoughts of boding danger, drearisome, 

 Cease to oppress ! Is not the path I tread 



So by Omniscience mark'd, that perils come 

 Not near, to even hurt a single hair, 



Without His wise permit ? Are not my days 



Securely meted out, and all my ways 

 So guarded, too, that thronging dangers share 



No part in harm's advance or death's progress 

 Till all are told ? And can my vigilance, 



Father'd by childish fear, make more or less 

 The given sum ? Cheerly, draw courage thence, 



My cowering heart ; feel safety here. Give room 



To other thoughts, and chase these clouds of gloom ! 



V. 



Thus, banished fear, at reason's bid, I cast 



My willing gaze toward heaven. In every star 



That forms the sparkling crown of night, though fast 

 In regions of unbounded space, so far 



As scarcely seen by mortal ken, — appears 

 Some guardian angel, robed in hght, to keep 

 His ceaseless vigils o'er my couch of sleep, 



Lest in my slumbering moments danger near 

 To cut the thread of life, and thus undo 



The purposes of God. The silver moon 



Sheds forth her radiance unconfined, and through 



The desert wild to flower and herb gives boon. 

 And decks each blade with dewy pearls, and pours 

 Them on the earth, to cheer my waking hours. 



VI. 



Nature's vast caravansera, above, 



Below, around, on either side, begirt 

 With midnight's varied splendors, scenes I love. 



Becomes enchantment's self, while zephyrs sport 

 The fragrance of the wild-flowers multiform, 



And greet my nostrils with their rich perfume, 



To please my senses. Thus my thoi^ghts resume 

 Their wonted course, and hush the passing storm 



Of fear. Alone ! Not lonely I. For here 

 E'en loneliness companion proves to me, 



And solitude is company. My ear 

 Drinks music from these savage sounds ; I see 



Amusements in these forms ; my heart's as strong, 



And easy beats, as 'mid a city's throng ! 



