144
BROKEN BARBITON.
And star-eyed Hope, and pensive Memory
Steal from the twilight of the heart. Afar,
Like a huge column moving in the heavens,
Soared the gray smoke of old Vesuvius,
From its broad base of lurid flame; the shaft
Of Maro's tomb above the beetling cliff
Was drawn against the deep blue sky, and soft
The scattered gardens of the Caprea shone:
Like "wrecks of Paradise." No human voice
Broke the deep spell of silence and repose,
That rested like a calm, mysterious dream
Upon the landscape, yet the air still seemed
All musical, and strangely eloquent
With the hushed cadences and passion-sighs
Of deep and burning love.
Steal from the twilight of the heart. Afar,
Like a huge column moving in the heavens,
Soared the gray smoke of old Vesuvius,
From its broad base of lurid flame; the shaft
Of Maro's tomb above the beetling cliff
Was drawn against the deep blue sky, and soft
The scattered gardens of the Caprea shone:
Like "wrecks of Paradise." No human voice
Broke the deep spell of silence and repose,
That rested like a calm, mysterious dream
Upon the landscape, yet the air still seemed
All musical, and strangely eloquent
With the hushed cadences and passion-sighs
Of deep and burning love.
Ah! 'mid this scene
Of loveliness and deep serenity:
The traces of despair, and woe, and death
Were darkly visible. The twilight's last
Sweet, rosy smile of gentleness and love
Of loveliness and deep serenity:
The traces of despair, and woe, and death
Were darkly visible. The twilight's last
Sweet, rosy smile of gentleness and love
