Haunt the encincture night and day, and work In unison, by mellowness and grace Perfecting the maturity of age Sunshine, and rain, and dews, and frosts, and winds: Nay, he is rash who says there cannot be Although it dashed yon column from its base; Had in the shadow of a column spread. Which ended, through the day's concluding hours, Careless we lingered, and conversed, and thought Not slowly, casting yet some looks behind; And for Calatafime shaped our road. April, 1844. SELINUNTUM. FOR the painter's art to bear away Piecemeal these wondrous relics! He can throw Credence about the incredible, and take The understanding, by the nearest way, The eye. How may the pen portray this scene? The wild goat browse on crags far less: say rather, This side how bright, on that what depth of shade! Then in some fluting stands he sentinel; That occupies the centre. Is it not The arch-mockery of confusion? Yet we know What choice variety of dainty terms And designations of the builder's art Might be expended on these fearful blocks, Yet hang immoveable, and form black caves The battering engine, or the sulphurous mine, Nor sure, nor firmset: and in their despair, And said " Fall on us, hide us from the wrath To come!" Now not a dewdrop on the corn Ripening around, or the wild parsley-weed, April, 1844. I SONNET.-GIRGENTI. "Arduus inde Acragas ostentat maxima longe JOURNEY on, and ponder, and admire Of fancy; but I touch Girgenti's seat Sublime, and cannot choose but strike the lyre. And the swart Deity who wrought in fire, And Hercules, and Leda's progeny; Unscathed by time, thy temple, Concord, stands, With the last touch of Grecian artists' hands Yet visible and this enchanting tone Of living foliage gracing mellow stone, Shows concord here surviving: may her ray Shine through the world at large some blessed day! April, 1844. |