32 HENRY KIRKE WHITE S POEMS. 



Pier daugiiter's dj-ing slumbers, but, surprised 



With heaviness, and sunk upon her couch, 



Dreams of her bridals. Even the hectic, lull'd 



On Death's lean arm to rest, in visions wrapt. 



Crowning with hope's bland wreath bis slmduering riurj 



Poor victim ! smiles. — Silence and deep repose 



Reign o'er the nations ; and the warning voice 



Of nature utters audibly within 



The general moral : — tells us that repose, 



Deathlike as this, but of far longer span, 



Is coming on us — that the weary crowds 



Who now enjoy a temporary calm. 



Shall soon taste lasting quiet, Avrapt around 



With grave-clothes ; and their aching, restless heads 



IVIouldering in holes and corners unobserved. 



Till the last trump shall break their sullen sleep. 



Who needs a teacher to admonish him 



That flesh is grass? — That earthly things are miet ? 



What are our joys but dreams ? and what our hopes 



But goodly shadows in a summer cloud ? 



There's not a wind that blows but bears w^ith it 



Some rainbow promise : — Not a moment flies 



But puts its sickle in the fields of life, 



And mows its thousands, with their joys and cares. 



'Tis but as yesterday since on yon stars, 



AVhich now I view, the Chaldee shepherd* gazed, 



In his mid-watch observant, and disposed 



The twinkling hosts as fancy gave them shape. 



Yet in the interim what mighty shocks 



Have buffeted mankind, — wliole nations razed, — 



('ides made desolate, — the polish'd sunk 



To barbarism, and once barbaric states 



Swaying the wand of science and of arts; 



Illustrious deeds and memorable names 



Blotted from record, and upon the tonguo 



Of grey tradition voluble no more. 



'•■' AHudins; to the first astronomical observations made by tbo Chal. 

 dean Shepherds. 



