13. Another day, another night are gone, So often on the beach she took her stand, That the wild Sea-Birds knew her, and no more Fled, when she past beside them on the strand. Bright shine the golden summits in the light Of the noon-sun, and lovelier far by night Their moonlight glories o'er the sea they shed: Fair is the dark-green deep: by night and day Unvex'd with storms, the peaceful billows play, As when they closed upon Ladurlad's head; The firmament above is bright and clear; The sea-fowl, lords of water, air, and land, Joyous alike upon the wing appear, Or when they ride the waves, or walk the sand; Beauty and light and joy are every-where; There is no sadness and no sorrow here, Save what that single human breast contains, But oh! what hopes, and fears, and pains are there! 14. Seven miserable days the expectant Maid, From earliest dawn till evening, watch'd the shore; Hope left her then; and in her heart she said, Never should she behold her Father more. 131 XVI. THE ANCIENT SEPULCHRES. 1. WHEN the broad Ocean on Ladurlad's head The dark green waves with emerald hue, And on the wrinkled sand below, Beholding then that human form erect, Onward Ladurlad went with heart elate, And now hath reach'd the Ancient City's gate. 2. Wondering he stood awhile to gaze The brazen portals open stood, High over-head, sublime, The mighty gateway's storied roof was spread, 3. Those streets which never, since the days of yore, A human foot shall tread, Drifted within their gates and choak'd their doors, His war for love and envy, not in rage, Of Mermaid's shell, and song Of choral throng from some imperial hall, But all is silence dread, Silence profound and dead, 4. Through many a solitary street, And silent market-place, and lonely square, Arm'd with the mighty Curse, behold him fare. And now his feet attain that royal fane Where Baly held of old his aweful reign. What once had been the Gardens spread around, Fair Gardens, once which wore perpetual green, Where all sweet flowers through all the year were found, And all fair fruits were through all seasons seen; A place of Paradise, where each device Of emulous Art with Nature strove to vie ; And Nature on her part, Call'd forth new powers wherewith to vanquish Art. The Swerga-God himself, with envious eye, Survey'd those peerless gardens in their prime; Nor ever did the Lord of Light, Who circles Earth and Heaven upon his way, Behold from eldest time a goodlier sight Than were the groves which Baly, in his might, Made for his chosen place of solace and delight. 5. It was a Garden still beyond all price, Even yet it was a place of Paradise ; For where the mighty Ocean could not spare, There had he with his own creation, Sought to repair his work of devastation. And here were coral bowers, And grots of madrepores, And banks of sponge, as soft and fair to eye Whereon the Wood Nymphs lie Their purple cups contracted, And now in open blossom spread, Stretch'd like green anthers many a seeking head. And arborets of jointed stone were there, And plants of fibres fine, as silkworm's thread; Yea, beautiful as Mermaid's golden hair Upon the waves dispread. |