Page:The Poets and Poetry of the West.djvu/443

1840-50.] JONATHAN W. GORDON. 427 Till it fills my wild heart with a thought of the past — Too bright, in its dreamlight of beauty, to last. But give me, give me, the evening air, With its voice of love, and its spii-it of prayer, To blend with the hum of the murmur- ing stream. Whose waters glide on, like a beautiful dream. Alone, yet how thrillingly near To all I have loved, now departed; To her who ne'er spake but to cheer. And bless with her love the lone- hearted: And now whilst I gaze on the sky, And the stars in their brightness are shining out there, I remember how often my gentle one's eye Used to gaze on those stars, as she whispered her prayer. Her eye! 'twas the light and the quiet of my hfe — Unclouded by passion and warning from strife, No star ever shone in its beauty above, Half as bright as her eye — the pure star of my love. TO VIOLA IN HEAVEN. I AM alone : To me the world hath lost its brow of gladness, And dewy dawn. And day and night have robed themselves in sadness. And life hath naught for me but agony and madness — Since thou art dead. Thy soul hath fled To its bright sphere afar beyond death's river ; Whilst I am led, In gloom and grief along its shore forever; And call thy name, but hear thy gentle voice — O never ! Since thou art dead. Life's dream is o'er — Its spell upon the heart's deep fountain broken Forevermore : But, in each word, thy lute-like voice hath spoken. Thou still hast left me many a treasured token. In mem'ry's store. All warm and bright Thy soul on mine, in each seems fondly glowing In love's own light, And on the dim drear gloom of grief be- stowing A constant beam — pure as the stainless starlight flowing From heaven to-night. O ! while the light Of thy last smile upon my soul doth quiver, As pure and bright As day's last smile upon the blushing river. Friend of my soul, I know thou art not gone forever — 'Tis only night. The morn will rise ; And for this night an endless day be given, When thy dear eyes, Wliose sad eclipse sheds darkness o'er life's even. Will shine for me, in some bright love-lit isle of heaven Beyond the skies.