The Poetical Works of Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, Bart. M.P Part 96

But where the waves the gentlest glide What image charms, to lift, thine eyes?

The spire reflected on the tide Invites thee to the skies.

To teach the soul its n.o.bler worth This rest from mortal toils is given; Go, s.n.a.t.c.h the brief reprieve from earth And pa.s.s--a guest to Heaven.

They tell thee, in their dreaming school, Of Power from old dominion hurl'd, When rich and poor, with juster rule, Shall share the alter'd world.

Alas! since Time itself began, That fable hath but fool'd the hour; Each age that ripens Power in Man, But subjects Man to Power.

Yet every day in seven, at least, One bright republic shall be known;-- Man's world awhile hath surely ceased, When G.o.d proclaims his own!

Six days may Rank divide the poor, O Dives, from thy banquet-hall-- The seventh the Father opes the door, And holds His feast for all!

THE HOLLOW OAK.

Hollow is the oak beside the sunny waters drooping; Thither came, when I was young, happy children trooping; Dream I now, or hear I now--far, their mellow whooping?

Gay below the cowslip bank, see the billow dances, There I lay beguiling time--when I lived romances; Dropping pebbles in the wave, fancies into fancies;--

Farther, where the river glides by the wooded cover, Where the merlin singeth low, with the hawk above her Came a foot and shone a smile--woe is me, the Lover!

Leaflets on the hollow oak still as greenly quiver, Musical amid the reeds murmurs on the river; But the footstep and the smile?--woe is me for ever!

LOVE AND FAME.

WRITTEN IN EARLY YOUTH.

I.

It was the May when I was born, Soft moonlight through the cas.e.m.e.nt stream'd, And still, as it were yestermorn, I dream the dream I dream'd.

I saw two forms from fairy land, Along the moonbeam gently glide, Until they halted, hand in hand, My infant couch beside.

II.

With smiles, the cradle bending o'er, I heard their whisper'd voices breathe-- The one a crown of diamond wore, The one a myrtle wreath; "Twin brothers from the better clime, A poet's spell hath lured to thee; Say which shall, in the coming time, Thy chosen fairy be?"

III.

I stretch'd my hand, as if my grasp Could s.n.a.t.c.h the toy from either brow; And found a leaf within my clasp, One leaf--as fragrant now!

If both in life may not be won, Be mine, at least, the gentler brother-- For he whose life deserves the one, In death may gain the other.

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.

I.

Into my heart a silent look Flash'd from thy careless eyes, And what before was shadow, took The Light of summer skies.

The first-born love was in that look; The Venus rose from out the deep Of those inspiring eyes.

II.

My life, like some lone solemn spot A spirit pa.s.ses o'er, Grew instinct with a glory not In earth or heaven before.

Sweet trouble stirr'd the haunted spot, And shook the leaves of every thought Thy presence wander'd o'er!

III.

My being yearn'd, and crept to thine, As if in times of yore Thy soul had been a part of mine, Which claim'd it back once more.

Thy very self no longer thine, But merged in that delicious life, Which made us ONE of yore!

IV.

There bloom'd beside thee forms as fair, There murmur'd tones as sweet, But round thee breathed the enchanted air 'Twas life and death to meet.

And henceforth thou alone wert fair, And though the stars had sung for joy, Thy whisper only sweet!

LOVE'S SUDDEN GROWTH.

I.

But yestermorn, with many a flower The garden of my heart was dress'd; A single tree has sprung to bloom, Whose branches cast a tender gloom, That shadows all the rest.

II.

A jealous and a tyrant tree, That seeks to reign alone; As if the wind's melodious sighs, The dews and suns.h.i.+ne of the skies, Were only made for One!

III.

A tree on which the Host of Dreams Low murmur mystic things, While hopes, those birds of other skies, To dreams themselves chant low replies-- Ah, wherefore have they wings?