BUDS OF POESY. Adolescentem verecunduin esse decet." — Plautus LONDO\ PRINTED BY G. NORMAN, MAIDEN LAN*E.< YKDEN. .MDCCCXXXVIII. fNK 21 1 6ttS0S 205449 '13 TO THE MEMORY OF MY FATHER. GUIDO AND LEONORA / GUIDO AND LEONORA. I. Oh, 'tis most pleasing in the dark blue night To mark the rolling stars, and trace the wav Of loveliest Dian, who, so calmly bright. Doth light the Heavens with her pale cold ray : Or, on some cliff, beneath whose cloud-capt height The rocks are beaten by the raging sprav, To watch the rising storm, and list the sound Of furious rushing winds that sweep around. GUIDO A.\D LEONORA. II. Oh, 'tis most pleasing, in some shady bower, In sweets of love to chase the time away, To meet thy true-love at the appointed hour, By some smooth lake, lit by the sun's last ray, As wand'ring on, she plucks the tell-tale flower To tempt thy truth, in fascinating play ; The look so soft, the deep and searching eye To know thy heart, thy eager love to try. III. But sweeter far is that true love than these, Which holier made by Hymen's nuptial tye, Delighteth e'er in fond attempts to please, And feeleth pain when either heaves a sigh ; This is the love which brings such pleasing ease To the warm heart, and ever-beaming eye ; This is the love, which brings such pure delight, Or in the sunny day, or moon-beam'd night. GUIDO AND LEONORA. IV. Then shall this love so faithful be my theme, And I will sing of two, who loved so well, Their lives did pass like to some fairy dream, Till fell misfortune broke the sacred spell, And then came sorrow, pain, and grief extreme, And melancholy, for I fain must tell Their sadder moments, and not dwell alone On those bright hours, when they no grief had known. V. Now to my tale. In Genoa's sunny clime, Near where the waves do make a pleasant bay, And in the grey mist towers the Apennine, There stands a castle, old, and in decay, Whose inmates oft the rocky heights would climb, Or launch their frail bark in the salt-sea spray. Or hunt, or hawk, as gaily rose the morn. And broke the mountain air, the loud-resounding horn. 10 GUIDO AND LEONORA. VI. In this same castle of Lavagna dwelt The brave Count Guido, and his lovely bride, Fair Leonora, to whom oft he'd knelt, And secret breathed his vows at eventide, In some lone bower, when every sound did melt Upon the balmy breeze, and distant died In echoing murmurs : this, their early love, And still its heaven-born charms, their ev'ry thought inwove. VII. Upon the bay, " at witching time of night," They oft alone in lightsome bark would sail, And they would gaze upon the moon so bright, Which threw its rays around Genoa's vale, And tipp'd the mountains with a faint still light, Which charm'd the eye so beautifully pale, As wandering on in silence o'er the skies She seemed to stay her course to listen to their sighs. GUI DO AND LEONORA. 11 VIII. The flute's lone sound did beauteous move along The deep blue waters, and soft music's strain Responsive rose to the seducing song Of love's bright passion, and then rose again In distant murmurs, the tall hills among, And still rolled on in one continued chain, Till echo spoke no more, and 'gain the sound Shot o'er the rippling waves, and whispered all around. IX. Oh ! happy scene, what ever new delight. As in their little bark they sat reclined. Wrapt in the joys of love so pure and bright ; That love, the smiling ruler of mankind, That love in which the brave adventurous knight When wars are o'er, a pleasing rest doth find : A smiling solace, and a calm retreat From warfare's horrors, and the battle's heat. 12 GUIDO AND LEONORA. X. The smooth clear waters murmured underneath, And sweetly flowed their murmurs to the strain, It was a sound, as of some fairy breath, Which mournful, of its sorrows did complain : It was a sound as of the song of death Breathed o'er some dying spirit of the main : A heavenly melody, which moved along, In sweet accord with Leonora's song. XI. And many a summer's sun had aye returned, And many a happy year had rolled away, And still their bosoms with such ardour burned. That love still held its undisputed sway : Ne'er, ne'er their thoughts from its pure pleasure turned : Oh ! how could grief such loving hearts betray ! But joy on earth was never known to last ; It fleeth as it cometh, and is past. GUIDO AND LEONORA. 13 XII. Count Guido, of Lavagna, I must tell, Possess'd much power in that rock-crested isle, Fair Corsica, where sinks the beauteous dell Between the mountains, on whose heights the while The hunter's shouts do toll the piteous knell Of the poor stag, when morning's first rays smile And tinge the mountains with a softened grey, The pale yet lovely harbinger of day. XIII. Ill-fated spot ! for now rebellion dire In sullen murmurs round its sea-beat shore Did spread contagious, and the slumb'ring fire Of civil discord, roused the cannon's roar, To feed with sweet revenge destructive ire, And satiate with blood the dogs of war : To waste, in horrid carnage, Nature's charms, And frighten Peace from earth, with war's alarms. B 14 GUIDO AND LEONORA. XIV. Now had the tidings reached Lavagna's halls, And each fond dream of love had passed away ; To arms, to arms, the warrior Honour calls, And now Count Guido may no longer stay ; He leaves his home, he leaves the tow'ring walls Of his loved castle, and unto the spray Has launched his vessel, and his bride alone Within her turret chamber mourns that he is gone. XV. 'Twas at the portal they did bid farewell : 'Twas there she wept her sad and parting tear : Twas there he felt, what those alone can tell, Who once have left all that their hearts hold dear Perhaps for ever ; and that aching spell, Which bindeth lovers with a silent fear Of dangers yet afar, and dreams of woe, Which those of blunter feelings never know. GUIDO AND LEONORA, 15 XVI. Oh, how shall words describe that parting hour ? The time her love was best, was truest, shown ; How sad she sat in her deserted bower, And started oft to find herself alone ; Then turned, and thoughtless plucked some wandering flower, And silent listened to the wind's low moan : Poor maid ! as if the trembling gale would bear Her lover's farewell to his maiden there. XVII. A year had gone. The battle's fearful rage Had now subsided to the charms of peace, No more Count Guido did the warfare wage, But taught, victorious, his brave knights to cease From deeds unwarlike, and to mild assuage The orphan's sorrows, and the deep distress Of the lone widow, whose best hopes had fled, Her long-loved husband mingled with the dead. 16 GUIDO AND LEONORA. XVIII. Now did his hopes rise once again, to view Those beauteous features he had loved so long : Now did he hope his trophies rich to strew Before his lady, 'mid the menial throng ; And gain, beneath his native sky's deep blue, To guide his bark his native shores along. Thus buoyed by Hope, he'd walk upon the shore, And fancy well-loved sounds in every billow's roar, XIX. Look on the line which bounds the sea and sky, And mark some dusky spot — some land in sight ; And call it Genoa. With upturned eye He'd form the clouds into his mountains white, All crown'd with snow, and 'neath their forms descry His castle's outline, on whose topmost height A fair frail form, in fancy, on the wind Would float a scarf, her husband's bark to find. GUI DO AND LEONORA 17 XX. One day, thus bent, he stroll'd along the shore, Musing, and wrapt in thought, when suddenly He heard behind a voice, recounting o'er The fate of some lone maid, who mournfully Did die for love ; it had instinctive power, And made him list for more ; so by and by, The voice did tell her name, and on his ear Breathed the cold sound — 'twas her he loved most dear. XXI. Around their lord the servants quickly came, And bore him home, fall'n in a death-like swoon : An hour elapsed, and he revived again, Alas, to know his sorrows but too soon : And grief did urge him to the turbid main, Nor could aught now his hVd intent postpone ; Straight, in the ship, he spreads the flapping sail, And Leonora's name seems borne on every gale. B 2 18 GU1D0 A.ND LEONORA. XXII. Yes, there she sits so lonely in her room, Looking around the drear and wat'ry waste, To find some sail amid the murky gloom, As 'neath the moon the drifting vapours haste. Yes ! there she sits, but gone is all her bloom — Gone is her beauty 's power, and at last She moves not, feels not, but with fixed eye Gazes on land, and sea, and deep blue sky. XXIII. And why thus sits the lady all so true? Why is her beauty faded from her cheek ? Why does she weep ; then stay and weep anew ? And why her look so sorrowful — so meek ? Ah ! she has heard a tale of wond'rous woe: List at that sound—that shrill and piercing shriek- And is it true ? And has her lover died, At such a distance from his lovely bride ? GUIDO AND LEONORA. 19 XXIV. Alas ! alas ! report hath reached her ear, That, 'mid the tumult of the fight, he fell — And left her all alone — so sad and drear — Without a friend his early fate to tell ; And now she's gone, urged on by trembling fear, To cross the mighty wave, and hear the knell Of him, her heart's sole love, and weep alone Upon his tomb, that she would share full soon. XXV. There is an island off the Tuscan shore, Gorgona named : a barren rocky spot : — Around this isle the stormy sea did roar : Waves curled aloft, and dashed in contest hot 'Gainst hidden rocks — concentrating their power, As if to pass earth's boundary — ah, what A stormy night was that, each bursting cloud Poured torrents forth — the thunders rolled aloud. 20 GUIDO AND LEONORA. XXVI. What forms are those, that pierce the dark'ning gloom, That rise and fall upon the foaming wave ? Two lonely wrecks, that wait their wretched doom, And all their crew have met a wat'ry grave ; How many fallen in their early bloom How many lost, — the noble, great and brave. And is not one saved from the cruel deep ? Is not one left his comrades' fate to weep ? XXVII. Ah ! look, what yon huge wave hath cast on land- — Two forms lie senseless on the pebbled shore : And now they move, and try in vain to stand, And gasping, shudder at the billow's roar ; Then gaze upon each other— wave the hand, Clasp in embrace and fall — to rise no more ; Ah ! who shall hide them deep beneath the sand — Who sing a dirge upon that rocky strand ? GLIDO AND LEONORA. 21 XXVIII. No ! the salt wave alone* shall cover o'er Their bodies with the sand, and the sole song Of mourning pity shall oft be the roar Of clatt'ring elements, whose discord strong Shall end in murmurs — and the pitying shore Shall weep, and bear the lonely sound along. There lie the lovers, lock'd in close embrace, The guardian spirits of this silent place ! XXIX. Here let me stay — their fate has now been told ; These lovers true are gone to happier clime : Then shed no tear, the kind complaint withhold ; Their souls were spotless, for they knew no crime, And they are gone where heav'nlyjoys unfold The realms of purer happiness, to climb The hills of holy love and sacred rest, Borne to a brighter home, where they most sure are blest POEM S. A FRAGMENT. Charles. — 'Tvvas on that night, I went to see the play, And as I sat amused within my box, Mine eyes did wander from the scene, and gazed Around the mighty phalanx of the fair Assembled there that night. But shall I tell, how there I saw a maid Whose beauteous visage struck me to the heart. She was a foreigner — her tightened hair Told not of England's shores — she was a maid Of sunny Normandy — and as she sat, I saw one glist'ning tear down from her eye Fall rolling on her cheek, the while she gazed Upon the affecting scene. Mine eye met hers — And in that moment I drank more of bliss Than e'er my love -sick soul had felt before. c 26 A FRAGMENT. Oh, Robert ! if thou'dst seen her, as I did, Thou would'st have loved her too — so beautiful — Yet Innocence herself, — sweet, lovely girl. That night I slept not — though, in waking dreams, She still was near me, and I often thought 1 heard the loud and full-toned music sound Along the vaulted roofs, and in her eye I still perceived the falling, glist'ning tear. Ne'er since have I forgotten that one night, But years have rolled away, and still I feel The pangs of my lone love, as it were now But yesterday I've never seen her since. ON SOLITUDE. Sweet Solitude, how oft in silent mood Have I thy blessings sought, when music-full The forest sounded with the songs of birds ; And now and then a bee would hasten by, Humming its joyous note, and laden deep With honied sweets — how pleasing then to sit, And musing think on Nature's varied works : List'ning the while, a clear brook's murmuring Beneath the alder tree, whose branches through The soft wind sighed — a pure romantic shade — These, these thy quiet joys, Celestial Solitude. Or, climbing some high cliff, As morning breaks upon the eastern skv, I sit, and mark the spreading streaks of light That tinge the fleeting clouds ; and mountains trace 28 ON SOLITUDE. , Rising on mountains, 'mid their vast expanse ; Whilst deep below, the rocking billows toss. And court the morning beams : descending, then, From the high rock unto the pebbled beach, I've watched the coming wave, which curled aloft, And dashed, with thundering sound, upon the shore, Lost in its own white foam : and I have turned Back to a quiet vale ; and on my ear Struck the deep sound of a slow-tolling bell, Which called the swains to prayer : so then I've gone Upon a lofty crag, which overlooked The quiet village, — 'Neath my earnest eye Did old men, tottering in their walk, and youths, And blushing maidens pass, with little children Playfully running near — it was the Sabbath day ; And all was happiness : and as I gazed upon them, My heart was moved within me, and I wept : It was so pleasing thus to see God's creatures Gay, innocent, and good. But chief, sweet Solitude, thy charm Is in the deep, dark night, when every thing ON SOLITUDE. 29 Is wrapt in silence, and I, all alone, Stand lost in thought, with wonder-stricken eye, Gazing above upon a thousand stars, Lost in whose rays a thousand systems roll, Each in its measured orb, sustained on high By that " Great Spirit" which pervades the whole. 'Tis then my soul mounts high above the earth. And I look down below, surveying all, And thinking how, when this world is no more, Our spirits swift shall cleave the ittherial blue, And float in endless space. c 2 SONNETS ON FAME. The memories of the great spirits, who have at various times illumined the world with their presence, may be likened to brilliant spots in the heavens which are always shining before the eyes of mankind ; for they brighten the mental world with a radiance, which is far above all terrestrial things, and which, as long as this world endures, can never fade or die. Where are they now, the brave, the good, the strong, There stands no pile to mark their quiet grave ; Yet still they live, crown'd in immortal song, Which hath alone the mighty power to save The great from dark oblivion, and prolong Each deed long-past to the world's wond'ring gaze, Who read, admire, and praise the aspiring song, Blessing the hero of its sacred lays : SONNETS ON FAME. 31 And they shall live, yea 'till the world's no more ; 'Till verse and virtue sink in endless time, The bard's shrill song shall pierce the thunder's roar, And, like the snow in coldest northern clime, Pure and untainted shall his words remain, Nor sacrilegious hand dare his great song prophane. II. For who that looks around the mighty space Of present, past, and future, can deny That he would wish to fill some lofty place, — Some beauteous spot afar in the blue sky ; To which, in times to come, each mortal eye Would fondly turn, admiring days of old When such a being lived, whose harmony Could in sweet lambent verse such deeds unfold, How many radiant spots already shine In brilliant glory o'er the heavens wide : Both Homer, Virgil, Dante, bards divine, And names of dearer import by their side. Yes, there the mighty forms of Milton dwell, And sweetest Shakspeare's notes the sombre shades dispel. SIB AMADAN FAIR GUILLIADINE. A TALE. SIR AMADAN and the FAIR GUILLIADINE; MOUNTAIN OF THE TWO LOVERS. " The moon hath risen from the sea, And plays upon the waves so green ; Oh Hubert, tell that tale to me, You promised yestere'en : The story of yon lofty mount. Which seems almost to pierce the sky. And o'er those quiet homes beneath Frowneth so drearily." The Minstrel touch'd his trembling lyre, And gazed upon the moonlit sea ; Then turned to where the loved one sat, And whispered tenderly : 36 SIR AMADAN u Sweet Maid, the tale you wish to hear Is sad and mournful in its close, And ere I end my song, I fear Thy limbs will need repose.'* " Oh Hubert, fear not thus for me, For I could stay for ever here ; So blest, to list thy voice, and know That thou art sitting near.*' The minstrel kiss'd his lovely bride, Ran through the chords of harmony, And thus began the mournful tale Of Guilliadine of Normandy. I. " The red flag fluttered in the breeze O'er proud King HoePs castle wall, And shouts of mirth and revelry Resounded from the hall. That night the beauteous Guilliadine Was seated high in queenly state ; AND THE FAIR GU1LL1ADINE. 37 A hundred suitors from afar. Around the castle's portals wait. The hundred suitors from afar Will soon depart from Hoel's land, For none will dare the arduous task To gain the maiden's hand : For through the plains of Normandy. King Hoel issued this decree : That none should seek his daughter's hand, But he, who at the king's command. From yonder rich and fertile plain, Whose banks are watered by the Seine, Would in his arms his daughter fair To yon high mountain's summit bear. All slow retired— for never yet Had man on its brow his footsteps set. The craggy steep, so threatening frown d To all it seemed forbidden ground, And Terror oft would fancy cries At midnight thence to rend the skies. 38 SIR AMADAN II. The feast was spread in the castle hall; Both valiant knights from far countrie, And barons bold and proud were there, And many a fair ladie. But brightest of all in that festive scene Was the lovely maiden Guilliadine ; And she sat by the side of her father there, All that was beautiful, bright, and fair ; Oh, she was beauteous as morning's beam, And fair as a youthful painter's dream ; Her hair, which in rich clusters fell Around her lovely neck of snow, Was fair as the feathery cloud which spreads Its bosom beneath the sun's rich glow : Oh soft and pensive was the grace That spread all o'er her blushing face, While the rose and the lily in beauty strove, And the light of her eyes was the light of love, AND THE FAIR GUILLIADINE. 39 III. How brightly shines the taper's light From yonder high and lonely tower What being is so lone to-night At this gay festive hour ? The maiden has left the banquet hall, And to her turret chamber gone : And there, retired from vulgar eye, She sits and sighs alone. Oh speed thee then, Sir Amadan : Thy own true love awaiteth thee : Her eyes now seek thy little bark Upon the stormy sea. IV. The night was dark, the roaring sea In foam-becrested fury rolled : Oh can the fear, the agony Of Guilliadine be told ! 40 SIR AMADAN She gazes out upon the sky, And then in haste retires again : And prays her lover's bark may ride Safe o'er the troubled main. Her prayers were heard — a low, still sound Is borne along the fitful blast ; And now, by glare of lightning flash, She sees his boat at last. A minute flown — Sir Amadan Has scaled the steep and craggy tower, Within whose topmost walls enshrined Dwelleth earth's fairest flower. Oh, there was mingling then of sighs, And looks said more than words can say ; And still they gazed, as if they'd gaze Each other's eyes away. " And do I clasp thee now at last ? " Oh, heaven, 'tis worth a world of woe, " That all my fears, my dangers past " I thus may feel thy cheek's warm glow : AND THE FAIR GUILLIADINE. 41 " My own — my love — my Guilliadine, " How have I thought of this one hour, " When I should come to bear thee hence u From Hoel's cruel power." 11 No, no, dear Amadan," she cried, " Oh thus it may not, cannot be ; 11 1 would not leave my father so, 11 For all the world could offer me ; 4< Oh no, 'twould break his aged heart, " When thinking I am here alone, <% He comes to sooth and comfort me, il To find his daughter gone/' " Sweet Guilliadine," the knight replied, li I would not (ear thee from his side, 11 If but thou say'st thou wilt not go: " Thy word to me is law — it shall be so. " But why this cruel, harsh decree I %t My hopes will ever blighted be ; " Ascend yon mount no mortal can ; " It is impossible to man.'' d 2 -T-t **■= ■ ....... 42 SIR AMADAN " Oh no! 'twas not in cruelty " My father made this sad decree ; " It was because so many came " Who had no virtues but their name: " Lovers, perchance, whose plighted vow " Has oft been broken, long ere now ; " It was to try these heartless men " My father used this stratagem. " But fear not thou, my Amadan, " For I can tell thee of a plan * By which thou mayst achieve the deed, a And me thy bride to the altar lead. " I have an aunt, who near Salerno dwells ; " And there, immured within her secret cells, '* She studies all the hidden powers " Of herbs and roots, and blossomed flowers ; " And well I know she can procure " A draught that will success ensure ; " Then go, Sir Amadan, and see ^ What hopes await our destiny : AND THE FAIR GUILLlADINE. 43 il The storm has cleared away, and now M The ocean wears a placid brow ; " And the stars, that gleam so bright in air, u Are nearly as bright reflected there." She stopt, for the sound of the castle bell Told the hour when they must bid farewell ; She gazed in his face with a tearful eye, While thus the warrior made reply : 11 One kiss, my Guilliadine, adieu, " My heart will ever rest with you : " See yonder in the clear blue sky, u How bright is the star of our destiny ; " It shines o'er us now as it ever will shine, li And the day is not distant when thou wilt be mine. M Once more adieu, my Guilliadine, " My bark rocks on the waters green, " And I must go — farewell again, " I soon shall reach the watery main. ,, He turned, and kissed his last adieu ; Then through the open casement flew : ~ j-u w-r— -i^^^w^MH 44 SIR AMADAN She heard the sound of the splashing oar : It died away — she heard no more. V. The morn was bright, and a cloudless sky O'erspread the plains of Normandy ; The sun had just tinged the highest hill, And even Nature's voice was still ; When a warrior knight, at a courier's speed, Passed o'er the plain on his coal-black steed : He seemed from home and friends to fly, And his face was turned towards Italy. * * ¥ # * * # * * * * * * # VI. No longer in solstitial power Courses the sun its onward way, And since I left fair Guilliadine 'Tis many a month, and many a day. ™ AND THE FAIR GUILLIADINE. 45 A trumpet cracks the silent air — What means that loud prolonged blast? A knight has come to claim her hand, And she will be a bride at last. Yes, the blue eyes of Guilliadine Have met those of her own true knight, Who from his wand'rings has returned To bear her up the mountain's height. Oh ! there is joy in the castle hall, And bright are the eyes of Guilliadine ; But why is she so pale and thin ? So faded a form was never seen. I will tell thee why her cheeks are pale, And why her form so slight has grown : Since her lover left her in the tower, Her lips scarce ought of food have known : She has wasted herself to the thinness of air, That her lover's task may be easier far. 4G SIR AMADAN VII. The morn that basks in the sun's warm light Is oft with clouds beset ere noon ; And when nature is stillest, and heaven is bright, The vessel is gulphed in the fierce monsoon. Oh, joy, where is thy dwelling-place? Where, where thy halls of light ? No smiles e'er beamed in mortal face But they met with sorrow's blight. How soon youth's pleasant dream is o'er — How soon its joys are gone ; It fadeth like a summer flower, And leaves us all alone, 'Tis memory lends its magic hue To the hours when we were gay, And makes us feel with fond regret That all has passed away : It mingles with each changing view — It whispers on the wind : «■■■ AND THE FAIR GUILLIAD1NE. 47