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368          ELIZABETH F. ELLET.

Those billows in their ceaseless play
Have worn the solid rocks away.

The summer winds, which wandering sigh
Amid the forest bower,
So gently as they murmur by,
Scarce lift the drooping flower.
Yet bear they, in autumnal gloom,
Spring's wither'd beauties to the tomb.

Thus worldly cares, though lightly borne,
Their impress leave behind;
And spirits, which their bonds would spurn,
The blighting traces find.
'Till alter'd thoughts and hearts grown cold
The change of passing years unfold.


THE CLOUD WHERE SUNBEAMS SOFT REPOSE.

THE cloud where sunbeams soft repose,
Gilt by the changeful ray,
With tints still warm and golden, glows,
When they have pass'd away.

The stream that in its billowy sweep
Bursts from the mountain side,
Bears far into the calm blue deep
Its swift and freshening tide.

Thus youthful joys our hearts can thrill,
Though life has lost its bloom;
And sorrow's hours of darkness still
With lingering charms illume.


ELIZABETH F. ELLET.      369

LIKE SOUTHERN BIRDS.

LIKE southern birds, whose wings of light
Are cold and hueless while at rest—
But spread to soar in upward flight,
Appear in glorious plumage drest;

The poet's soul—while darkly close
Its pinions, bids no passion glow;
But roused at length from dull repose,
Lights, while it spurns, the world below


O'ER THE FAR MOUNTAIN PEAK ON HIGH.

O'ER the far mountain peak on high
First shines the morning's ray;
And latest from the crimson'd sky
The beam of parting day.

Yet there, to greet the partial light,
Nor flowers nor verdure bloom;
But barren all—though coldly bright—
And cheerless as the tomb.

While, in the modest vale's recess,
Where sunlight scarce descends,
Fresh flowerets spring the beam to bless,
And grateful foliage bends.

Thus hearts that bask in fortune's smile,
Undimm'd by clouds of care,
Feel not the joys their hours beguile
Which humbler bosoms share.
                 Y

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-06-29 15:36:50 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-06-29 16:18:26 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-06-29 18:31:03