THE POETESS.
273
Whose thoughts would seek some brighter theme.
Than such as to the crowd belong;
Whose heart would sleep, and sweetly dream,
Reposing on the breast of song.
Than such as to the crowd belong;
Whose heart would sleep, and sweetly dream,
Reposing on the breast of song.
The cold unsympathizing world
Has brought the soaring wing to earth,
To droop in gloom, or else, unfurled,
To seek the heartless stream of mirth.
Like him who hid within the rays
That lit the Adriatic's tide,
Her heart retires amidst the blaze
That lights the halls of mirth and pride.
Has brought the soaring wing to earth,
To droop in gloom, or else, unfurled,
To seek the heartless stream of mirth.
Like him who hid within the rays
That lit the Adriatic's tide,
Her heart retires amidst the blaze
That lights the halls of mirth and pride.
In vain I for feelings deep and strong
Will burst the fetters of despair,
Bathe in the atmosphere of song,
And grasp a fearful glory there!
And those fair thoughts that ever lie
Like nuns within the cloistered heart,
Will sing their song and breathe their sigh,
And sadly struggle to depart.
Will burst the fetters of despair,
Bathe in the atmosphere of song,
And grasp a fearful glory there!
And those fair thoughts that ever lie
Like nuns within the cloistered heart,
Will sing their song and breathe their sigh,
And sadly struggle to depart.
Alas! how vain—how deeply vain!
Fair beings of the convent's cell,
Bound in the gloom, there to remain
Till earth has said her last farewell.
Fair beings of the convent's cell,
Bound in the gloom, there to remain
Till earth has said her last farewell.
