Part 11 (1/2)

Untwine those ringlets! Ev'ry dainty clasp That s.h.i.+nes like twisted sunlight in my eye Is but the coiling of the jewelled asp That smiles to see men die.

Oh, cobra-curled! Fierce-fanged fair one! Draw Night's curtain o'er the landscape of thy hair!

I yield! I kneel! I own, I bless thy law That dooms me to despair.

I mark the crimson ruby of thy lips, I feel the witching weirdness of thy breath!

I droop! I sink into my soul's eclipse,-- I fall in love with death!

And yet, vouchsafe a moment! I would gaze Once more into those sweetly-murderous eyes, Soft glimmering athwart the pearly haze That smites to dusk the skies.

Hast thou no pity? Must I darkly tread The unknown paths that lead me wide from thee?

Hast thou no garland for this aching head That soon so low must be?

No sound? No sigh? No smile? Is _all_ forgot?

Then spin my shroud out of that golden skein Thou callst thy tresses! _I_ shall stay thee not-- My struggles were but vain!

But shall I see thee far beyond the sun, When the new dawn lights Empyrean scenes?

What matters now? I know the poem's done, And wonder what the d.i.c.kens it all means!

_Anonymous_.

LINES BY A FOND LOVER

Lovely maid, with rapture swelling, Should these pages meet thine eye, Clouds of absence soft dispelling;-- Vacant memory heaves a sigh.

As the rose, with fragrance weeping, Trembles to the tuneful wave, So my heart shall twine unsleeping, Till it canopies the grave.

Though another's smile's requited, Envious fate my doom should be; Joy forever disunited, Think, ah! think, at times on me!

Oft, amid the spicy gloaming, Where the brakes their songs instil, Fond affection silent roaming, Loves to linger by the rill--

There, when echo's voice consoling, Hears the nightingale complain, Gentle sighs my lips controlling, Bind my soul in beauty's chain.

Oft in slumber's deep recesses, I thy mirror'd image see; Fancy mocks the vain caresses I would lavish like a bee!

But how vain is glittering sadness!

Hark, I hear distraction's knell!

Torture gilds my heart with madness!

Now forever fare thee well!