Part 10

By islands fair in the ocean placed, With waves all murmuring round, My wayward course should still be traced, And still no home be found. When calm and peaceful sleeps the tide, And men look out to sea, My bark in silence by should glide, Their wonder and awe to be.

When sultry summer suns prevail, And rest on the parching land, The cool sea breeze would I inhale, O'er the ocean breathing bland. A restless sprite, that likes delight, In calm and tempest found, 'Twere joy to me o'er the bonnie blue sea For ever and aye to bound.

I LOVE THE MERRY MOONLIGHT.[18]

I love the merry moonlight, So wooingly it dances, At midnight hours, round leaves and flowers, On which the fresh dew glances.

I love the merry moonlight, On lake and pool so brightly It pours its beams, and in the stream's Rough current leaps so lightly.

I love the merry moonlight, It ever shines so cheerily When night clouds flit, that, but for it, Would cast a shade so drearily.

I love the merry moonlight, For when it gleams so mildly The passions rest that rule the breast At other times so wildly.

I love the merry moonlight, For 'neath it I can borrow Such blissful dreams, that this world seems Without a sin or sorrow.

FOOTNOTES:

[18] Printed from the author's MS., in the possession of Mr H. S. Riddell.

OH, WHAT ARE THE CHAINS OF LOVE MADE OF?[19]

Oh, what are the chains of Love made of, The only bonds that can, As iron gyves the body, thrall The free-born soul of man?

Can you twist a rope of beams of the sun, Or have you power to seize, And round your hand, like threads of silk, Wind up the wandering breeze?

Can you collect the morning dew And, with the greatest pains, Beat every drop into a link, And of these links make chains?

More fleeting in their nature still, And less substantial are Than sunbeam, breeze, and drop of dew, Smile, sigh, and tear--by far.

And yet of these Love's chains are made, The only bonds that can, As iron gyves the body, thrall The free-born soul of man.

FOOTNOTES:

[19] Printed for the first time from the original MS.

JOHN WRIGHT.

A son of genius and of misfortune, John Wright was born on the 1st September 1805, at the farm-house of Auchincloigh, in the parish of Sorn, Ayrshire. From his mother, a woman of much originality and shrewdness, he inherited a strong inclination towards intellectual culture. His school education was circumscribed, but he experienced delight in improving his mind, by solitary musings amidst the amenities of the vicinity of Galston, a village to which his father had removed. At the age of seven, he began to assist his father in his occupation of a coal driver; and in his thirteenth year he was apprenticed to the loom. His master supplied him with books, which he perused with avidity, and he took an active part in the weekly meetings of apprentices for mutual literary improvement; but his chief happiness was still experienced in lonely rambles amidst the interesting scenes of the neighbourhood, which, often celebrated by the poets, were especially calculated to foment his own rapidly developing fancy. He fell in love, was accepted, and ultimately cast off--incidents which afforded him opportunities of celebrating the charms, and deploring the inconstancy of the fair. He composed a poem, of fifteen hundred lines, entitled "Mahomet, or the Hegira," and performed the extraordinary mental effort of retaining the whole on his memory, at the period being unable to write. "The Retrospect," a poem of more matured power, was announced in 1824. At the recommendation of friends, having proceeded to Edinburgh to seek the counsel of men of letters, he submitted the MS. of his poem to Professor Wilson, Dr M'Crie, Mr Glassford Bell, and others, who severally expressed their approval, and commended a publication. "The Retrospect," accordingly, appeared with a numerous list of subscribers, and was well received by the press. The poet now removed to Cambuslang, near Glasgow, where he continued to prosecute his occupation of weaving. He entered into the married state by espousing Margaret Chalmers, a young woman of respectable connexions and considerable literary tastes. The desire of obtaining funds to afford change of climate to his wife, who was suffering from impaired health, induced him to propose a second edition of his poems, to be published by subscription. During the course of his canvass, he unfortunately contracted those habits of intemperance which have proved the bane of so many of the sons of genius. Returning to the loom at Cambuslang, he began to exchange the pleasures of the family hearth for the boisterous excitement of the tavern. He separated from his wife and children, and became the victim of dissipation. In 1853, some of his literary friends published the whole of his poetical works in a duodecimo volume, in the hope of procuring the means of extricating him from his painful condition. The attempt did not succeed. He died in an hospital in Glasgow, of fever, contracted by intemperance. As a poet, he was possessed of a rich fancy, with strong descriptive powers. His "Retrospect" abounds with beautiful passages; and some of his shorter poems and songs are destined to survive.

AN AUTUMNAL CLOUD.

Oh! would I were throned on yon glossy golden cloud, Soaring to heaven with the eagle so proud, Floating o'er the sky Like a spirit, to descry Each bright realm,--and, when I die, May it be my shroud!

I would skim afar o'er ocean, and drink of bliss my fill, O'er the thunders of Ni'gara and cataracts of Nile,-- With rising rainbows wreathed, In mist and darkness sheathed, Where nought but spirits breathed Around me the while.

Above the mighty Alps (o'er the tempest's angry god Careering on the avalanche) should be my bless'd abode. There, where Nature lowers more wild Than her most uncultured child, Revels beauty--as one smiled O'er life's darkest mood.

Our aerial flight should be where eye hath never been, O'er the stormy Polar deep, where the icy Alps are seen, Where Death sits, crested high, As he would invade the sky, Whilst the living valleys lie In their beautiful green!

Spirit of the peaceful autumnal eve! Child of enchantment! behind thee leave Thy semblance mantled o'er me; Too full thy tide of glory For Fancy to restore thee, Or Memory give!

THE MAIDEN FAIR.

The moon hung o'er the gay greenwood, The greenwood o'er the mossy stream, That roll'd in rapture's wildest mood, And flutter'd in the fairy beam. Through light clouds flash'd the fitful gleam O'er hill and dell,--all Nature lay Wrapp'd in enchantment, like the dream Of her that charm'd my homeward way!

Long had I mark'd thee, maiden fair! And drunk of bliss from thy dark eye, And still, to feed my fond despair, Bless'd thy approach, and, passing by, I turn'd me round to gaze and sigh, In worship wild, and wish'd thee mine, On that fair breast to live and die, O'er-power'd with transport so divine!

Still sacred be that hour to love, And dear the season of its birth, And fair the glade, and green the grove, Its bowers ne'er droop in wintry dearth Of melody and woodland mirth!-- The hour, the spot, so dear to me! That wean'd my soul from all on earth, To be for ever bless'd in thee.

THE OLD BLIGHTED THORN.

All night, by the pathway that crosses the moor, I waited on Mary, I linger'd till morn, Yet thought her not false--she had ever been true To her tryst by the old blighted thorn.

I had heard of Love lighting to darken the heart, Fickle, fleeting as wind and the dews of the morn; Such were not my fears, though I sigh'd all night long, And wept 'neath the old blighted thorn.

The snows, that were deep, had awaken'd my dread, I mark'd as footprints far below by the burn; I sped to the valley--I found her deep sunk, On her way to the old blighted thorn!

I whisper'd, "My Mary!"--she spoke not: I caught Her hand, press'd her pale cheek--'twas icy and cold; Then sunk on her bosom--its throbbings were o'er-- Nor knew how I quitted my hold.

THE WRECKED MARINER.

Stay, proud bird of the shore! Carry my last breath with thee to the cliff, Where waits our shatter'd skiff-- One that shall mark nor it nor lover more.

Fan with thy plumage bright Her heaving heart to rest, as thou dost mine; And, gently to divine The tearful tale, flap out her beacon-light.

Again swoop out to sea, With lone and lingering wail--then lay thy head, As thou thyself wert dead, Upon her breast, that she may weep for me.

Now let her bid false Hope For ever hide her beam, nor trust again The peace-bereaving strain-- Life has, but still far hence, choice flowers to crop.

Oh! bid not her repine, And deem my loss too bitter to be borne, Yet all of passion scorn But the mild, deep'ning memory of mine.

Thou art away, sweet wind! Bear the last trickling tear-drop on thy wing, And o'er her bosom fling The love-fraught pearly shower till rest it find!

JOSEPH GRANT.

Joseph Grant, a short-lived poet and prose writer, was born on the farm of Affrusk, parish of Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, on the 26th of May 1805. He was instructed in the ordinary branches at the parish school, and employed as a youth in desultory labour about his father's farm. From boyhood he cherished a passionate love for reading, and was no less ardent in his admiration of the picturesque and beautiful in nature. So early as his fourteenth year he composed verses of some merit. In 1828, he published "Juvenile Lays," a collection of poems and songs; and in 1830, "Kincardineshire Traditions"--a small volume of ballads--both of which obtained a favourable reception. Desirous of emanating from the retirement of his native parish, he accepted, in 1831, the situation of assistant to a shop-keeper in Stonehaven, and soon afterwards proceeded to Dundee, where he was employed in the office of the _Dundee Guardian_ newspaper, and subsequently as clerk to a respectable writer.

Grant furnished a series of tales and sketches for _Chambers's Edinburgh Journal_. In 1834, he published a second small volume of "Poems and Songs;" and subsequently, in the same year, committed to the press a prose work, entitled "Tales of the Glens," which he did not, however, survive to publish. After an illness of fifteen weeks, of a pulmonary complaint, he died on the 14th April 1835, in his thirtieth year. His remains were interred in the churchyard of Strachan, Kincardineshire, where a tombstone, inscribed with some elegiac verses, has been erected to his memory. The "Tales of the Glens" were published shortly after his decease, under the editorial care of the late Mr James M'Cosh, of Dundee, editor of the _Northern Warder_ newspaper; and, in 1836, an edition of his collected works was published at Edinburgh, with a biographical preface by the poet Nicol.

Of a fine genius, a gentle and amiable nature, and pure Christian sentiments, Grant afforded eminent promise, with a prolonged career, of becoming an ornament to literature. Cut down in the bloom of youth, his elegy has been recorded by the Brechin poet, Alexander Laing--

"A kinder, warmer heart than his Was ne'er to minstrel given; And kinder, holier sympathies Ne'er sought their native heaven."

THE BLACKBIRD'S HYMN IS SWEET.

The blackbird's hymn is sweet At fall of gloaming, When slow, o'er grove and hill, Night's shades are coming; But there is a sound that far More deeply moves us-- The low sweet voice of her Who truly loves us.

Fair is the evening star Rising in glory, O'er the dark hill's brow, Where mists are hoary; But the star whose rays The heart falls nearest, Is the love-speaking eye Of our heart's dearest.

Oh, lonely, lonely is The human bosom, That ne'er has nursed the sweets Of young Love's blossom! The loveliest breast is like A starless morning, When clouds frown dark and cold, And storms are forming.

LOVE'S ADIEU.

The e'e o' the dawn, Eliza, Blinks over the dark green sea, An' the moon 's creepin' down to the hill-tap, Richt dim and drowsilie. An' the music o' the mornin' Is murmurin' alang the air; Yet still my dowie heart lingers To catch one sweet throb mair.

We've been as blest, Eliza, As children o' earth can be, Though my fondest wish has been knit by The bonds of povertie; An' through life's misty sojourn, That still may be our fa', But hearts that are link'd for ever Ha'e strength to bear it a'.

The cot by the mutterin' burnie, Its wee bit garden an' field, May ha'e mair o' the blessin's o' Heaven Than lichts o' the lordliest bield; There 's many a young brow braided Wi' jewels o' far-off isles, But woe may be drinkin' the heart-springs, While we see nought but smiles.

But adieu, my ain Eliza! Where'er my wanderin's be, Undyin' remembrance will make thee The star o' my destinie; An' well I ken, thou loved one, That aye, till I return, Thou 'lt treasure pure faith in thy bosom, Like a gem in a gowden urn.

DUGALD MOORE.

A poet of remarkable ingenuity and power, Dugald Moore was born in Stockwell Street, Glasgow, in 1805. His father, who was a private soldier in one of the Highland regiments, died early in life, leaving his mother in circumstances of poverty. From his mother's private tuition, he received the whole amount of his juvenile education. When a child he was sent to serve as a tobacco-boy for a small pittance of wages, and as a youth was received into the copper-printing branch of the establishment of Messrs James Lumsden and Son, booksellers, Queen Street. He very early began to write verses, and some of his compositions having attracted the notice of Mr Lumsden, senior, that benevolent gentleman afforded him every encouragement in the prosecution of his literary tastes. Through Mr Lumsden's personal exertions in procuring subscribers, he was enabled to lay before the public in 1829 a volume of poems entitled "The African, a Tale, and other Poems." Of this work a second edition was required in the following year, when he likewise gave to the world a second volume, with the title "Scenes from the Flood; the Tenth Plague, and other Poems." "The Bridal Night, and other Poems," a volume somewhat larger than its predecessors, appeared from his pen in 1831. The profits of these publications enabled him to commence on his own account as a bookseller and stationer in the city. His shop, No. 96 Queen Street, became the rendezvous of men of letters, and many of the influential families gave its occupant the benefit of their custom.

In 1833, Moore published "The Bard of the North, a series of Poetical Tales, illustrative of Highland Scenery and Character;" in 1835, "The Hour of Retribution, and other Poems;" and in 1839, "The Devoted One, and other Poems." He died unmarried, after a brief illness, on the 2d January 1841, in his thirty-sixth year, leaving a competency for the support of his aged mother. Buried in the Necropolis of the city, a massive monument, surmounted by a bust, has been raised by his personal friends in tribute to his memory. Though slightly known to fame, Moore is entitled to rank among the most gifted of the modern national poets. Possessed of a vigorous conception, a lofty fancy, intense energy of feeling, and remarkable powers of versification, his poetry is everywhere impressed with the most decided indications of genius. He has chosen the grandest subjects, which he has adorned with the richest illustration, and an imagery copious and sublime. Had he occupied his Muse with themes less exalted, he might have enjoyed a wider temporary popularity; as it is, his poems will find admirers in future times.

RISE, MY LOVE.

Rise, my love! the moon, unclouded, Wanders o'er the dark blue sea; Sleep the tyrant's eye has shrouded, Hynda comes to set thee free! Leave those vaults of pain and sorrow, On the long and dreaming deep; A bower will greet us ere to-morrow, Where our eyes may cease to weep.

Oh! some little isle of gladness, Smiling in the waters clear, Where the dreary tone of sadness Never smote the lonely ear-- Soon will greet us, and deliver Souls so true, to freedom's plan; Death may sunder us, but never Tyrant's threats, nor fetters can.

Then our lute's exulting numbers, Unrestrain'd will wander on, While the night has seal'd in slumbers, Fair creation, all her own. And we'll wed, while music stealeth Through the starry fields above, While each bounding spirit feeleth All the luxury of love.

Then we'll scorn oppression's minions, All the despot's bolts and powers; While Time wreathes his heavy pinions With love's brightest passion-flowers. Rise, then! let us fly together, Now the moon laughs on the sea; East or west, I care not whither, When with love and liberty!

JULIA.

Born where the glorious star-lights trace In mountain snows their silver face, Where Nature, vast and rude, Looks as if by her God design'd To fill the bright eternal mind, With her fair magnitude.

Hers was a face, to which was given Less portion of the earth than heaven, As if each trait had stole Its hue from Nature's shapes of light; As if stars, flowers, and all things bright Had join'd to form her soul.

Her heart was young--she loved to breathe The air which spins the mountain's wreath, To wander o'er the wild, To list the music of the deep, To see the round stars on it sleep, For she was Nature's child!

Nursed where the soul imbibes the print Of freedom--where nought comes to taint, Or its warm feelings quell: She felt love o'er her spirit driven, Such as the angels felt in heaven, Before they sinn'd and fell.

Her mind was tutor'd from its birth, From all that's beautiful on earth-- Lights which cannot expire-- From all their glory, she had caught A lustre, till each sense seem'd fraught With heaven's celestial fire.

The desert streams familiar grown, The stars had language of their own, The hills contain'd a voice With which she could converse, and bring A charm from each insensate thing, Which bade her soul rejoice.

She had the feeling and the fire, That fortune's stormiest blast could tire, Though delicate and young; Her bosom was not formed to bend-- Adversity, that firmest friend, Had all its fibres strung.

Such was my love--she scorn'd to hide A passion which she deem'd a pride! Oft have we sat and view'd The beauteous stars walk through the night, And Cynthia lift her sceptre bright, To curb old Ocean's mood.

She'd clasp me as if ne'er to part, That I might feel her beating heart-- Might read her living eye; Then pause! I've felt the pure tide roll Through every vein, which to my soul, Said--Nature could not lie.

LUCY'S GRAVE.

My spirit could its vigil hold For ever at this silent spot; But, ah! the heart within is cold, The sleeper heeds me not: The fairy scenes of love and youth, The smiles of hope, the tales of truth, By her are all forgot: Her spirit with my bliss is fled-- I only weep above the dead!

I need not view the grassy swell, Nor stone escutcheon'd fair; I need no monument to tell That thou art lying there: I feel within, a world like this, A fearful blank in all my bliss-- An agonized despair, Which paints the earth in cheerful bloom, But tells me, thou art in the tomb!

I knew Death's fatal power, alas Could doom man's hopes to pine, But thought that many a year would pass Before he scatter'd mine! Too soon he quench'd our morning rays, Brief were our loves of early days-- Brief as those bolts that shine With beautiful yet transient form, Round the dark fringes of the storm!

I little thought, when first we met, A few short months would see Thy sun, before its noontide, set In dark eternity! While love was beaming from thy face, A lover's eye but ill could trace Aught that obscured its ray; So calm its pain thy bosom bore, I thought not death was at its core!

The silver moon is shining now Upon thy lonely bed, Pale as thine own unblemish'd brow, Cold as thy virgin head; She seems to breathe of many a day Now shrouded with thee in the clay, Of visions that have fled, When we beneath her holy flame, Dream'd over hopes that never came!

Hark! 'tis the solemn midnight bell, It mars the hallow'd scene; And must we bid again--farewell! Must life still intervene? Its charms are vain! my heart is laid E'en with thine own, celestial maid! A few short days have been An age of pain--a few may be A welcome passport, love! to thee.

THE FORGOTTEN BRAVE.

'Tis finish'd, they 've died for their forefathers' land, As the patriot sons of the mountain should die, With the mail on each bosom, the sword in each hand, On the heath of the desert they lie. Like their own mountain eagles they rush'd to the fight, Like the oaks of their deserts they braved its rude blast; Their blades in the morning look'd dazzling and bright, But red when the battle was past.

They rush'd on, exulting in honour, and met The foes of their country in battle array; But the sun of their glory in darkness hath set, And the flowers of the forest are faded away! Oh! far from the scenes of their childhood they sleep, No friend of their bosom, no loved one is near, To add a gray stone to their cairns on the steep, Or drop o'er their ashes a tear.

THE FIRST SHIP.

The sky in beauty arch'd The wide and weltering flood, While the winds in triumph march'd Through their pathless solitude-- Rousing up the plume on ocean's hoary crest, That like space in darkness slept, When his watch old Silence kept, Ere the earliest planet leapt From its breast.

A speck is on the deeps, Like a spirit in her flight; How beautiful she keeps Her stately path in light! She sweeps the shining wilderness in glee-- The sun has on her smiled, And the waves, no longer wild, Sing in glory round that child Of the sea.

'Twas at the set of sun That she tilted o'er the flood, Moving like God alone O'er the glorious solitude-- The billows crouch around her as her slaves. How exulting are her crew-- Each sight to them is new, As they sweep along the blue Of the waves!