THE SISTERS. BY ALARIC A. WATTS. They grew together Like to a double cherry, seeming parted, Two lovely berries moulded on one stem; SHAKSPEARE. I. I SAW them when their bud of life Was slowly opening into flower, Had burst above their natal bower; II. What were they then? Two twinkling stars The youngest of an April sky; Far, far from earth, and earthborn jars, H III. What were they then? Two limpid streams, Now, 'neath the gloom of willows hiding; In playful waves and glittering spray. IV. I see them as I saw them then, With careless brows, and laughing eyes; With all their infant witcheries; V. Such fancy's dreams; but never more VI. When spring was gladdening all the skies, Death came to them in gentlest guise, And smote them in his love together : In concert thus they lived and died, [Some apology may be deemed necessary for the introduction of these lines, suggested several years ago by Sir Thomas Lawrence's beautiful picture, and published at the time they were written. They will, howbe new to a very large portion of the readers of this volume.] ever, TO THE SPIRIT OF POETRY. BY MARY HOWITT. I. MEN build to thee no shrine, Yet every holy place is filled with thee; Island and ocean-peak; Seas, where the keel of ships shall never go; Cots, palaces, and graves; whate'er can speak Of human love or woe! II. All are the shrines where thou Broodest with power, not visible, yet strong; Oh! spirit, which art pure, Mighty and holy, and of God art sprung; Which teachest to aspire and to endure, As ne'er taught human tongue; III. What art thou? A glad spirit, Sent down, like Hope, when Eden was no more, Sent down to teach as never Taught worldly wisdom! To make known the right; IV. I see whom thou hast called The mighty men, the chosen of the earth ;- I see, on spirit-wings, How thou hast set them high, each like a star, V. How hast thou cast a glory Over the dust of him, sublimely wise, The blind old man, with his immortal story How thou, by mountain-streams, Met'st the poor peasant, and from passion's leaven Refined his soul, wooing with holy themes, In Mary's voice from heaven! |