“Through hall, and court, and porch, Glides on the pitiless torch; Vain now the matron's sighs ; Vain now the infant's cries ; “Not Pyrrhus, though his hand Is on his father's brand; Not Nestor's hoary head; Nor Teucer's rapid tread; “Visions of deeper fear To-night are warring here ;- Minerva's lightning frown, And Juno's golden crown, “Through wailing and through wo, Silent and stern they go ;- Exultingly they guide Destruction's fiery tide, And lift the dazzling shield, and poise the deadly lance. “Lo! where the old man stands, Folding his palsied hands, And muttering with white lips, his querulous prayer: “Where is my noble son, My best, my bravest one,• Troy's hope and Priam's,—where is Hector, where ?" “Why is thy falchion grasped ? Why is thy. helmet clasped ? Fitter the fillet for such brow as thine ! The altar reeks with gore; Oh sisters, look no more! “And ye, alas ! must roam Far from your desolate home, Ye may not from those bowers Gather the trampled flowers, To wreathe sad garlands for your brethren’s grave. “Away, away! the gale Stirs the white bosomed sail ; Labor must be your doom, Night-watchings, days of gloom, “Even now some Grecian dame Beholds the signal flame, “Why lingers yet my lord ? Hath he not sheathed his sword- “Me too the dark Fates call; Their sway is over all, I tell of others' lot; They hear me, heed me not! SONNET TO ADA. The touching pathos of thy low sweet voice MY LITTLE COUSINS. E voi ridete ?-Certo ridiamo. Cosi fan tutte. Laugh on, fair cousins, for to you All life is joyous yet; And nothing to regret; And every month is May; Laugh on, laugh on, to-day! Upon those sunny eyes; Will set itself to sighs; Will chase their rest away ; Laugh on, laugh on, to-day ! Oh yes; if any truth is found In the dull schoolman's theme, If friendship is an empty sound, And love an idle dream, If mirth, youth's playmate, feels fatigue Too soon on life's long way, Laugh on, laugh on, to-day! Perhaps your eyes may grow more bright As childhood's hues depart; And dearer to the heart; This earth still green and gay; Laugh on, laugh on, to-day ! O’er me have many winters crept, With less of grief than joy; I am no more a boy! My hair is hardly gray ; Laugh on, laugh on, to-day! I used to have as glad a face, As shadowless a brow: As you are running now; Don't interrupt your play, Laugh on, laugh on, to-day. |