A FAREWELL TO CONNECTICUT. TURNED a last look to my dear native mountain, As the dim blush of sunset grew pale in the sky; All was still, save the music that leaped from the fountain, And the wave of the woods to the summer-wind's sigh. Far around, the gray mist of the twilight was stealing, And the tints of the landscape had faded in blue, Ere my pale lip could murmur the accents of feeling, As it bade the fond scenes of my childhood adieu. Oh! mock not that pang, for my heart was retracing Like an infant's first sleep on the lap of its mother, Were the days of my childhood-those days are no more; And my sorrow's deep throb I had struggled to smother Was that infant's wild cry when it's first sleep was o'er. Years have gone by, and remembrance now covers, With the tinge of the moonbeam, the thoughts of that hour; Yet still in his day-dream the wanderer hovers Round the cottage he left and its green woven bower. And Hope lingers near him, her wildest song breathing, And points to a future day, distant and dim, When the finger of sunset, its eglantine weaving, Shall brighten the home of his childhood for him. TO LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK, ESQ. 'VE greeted many a bonny bride On many a bridal day, In homes serene and summer-skied, Where Love's spring-buds, with joy and pride But ne'er on lovelier bride than thine And ne'er in happier bridal bower I well remember, as I stood, In consecrated words of power, The sanction of approving Heaven To marriage-ring, and roof, and dower; When happy lips had pressed her cheek, A sunbeam, balmy with delight, And almost asked, with serious brow Time's years, it suits me not to say Have watched and cheered thee on thy way O'er Duty's chosen path severe, And seen thee, heart and thought full grown, The wreaths and race-cups of renown— TO LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK. That he, whose worth could win a wife Hark! there are songs on Summer's breeze, In Air, their world of happy wings; They tell me that, Life's tasks well done, Thy Bark has reached a quiet shore, Thy home of pleasantness and peace, Of Love, with eyes of Heaven's blue, And Riches, with "the Golden Fleece: " 251 |