HOW CLEAR SHE SHINES

    How clear she shines！ How quietly I lie beneath her guardian¹ light； While heaven and earth are whispering me, "To morrow, wake, but dream to-night." Yes, Fancy, come, my Fairy love！ These throbbing² temples softly kiss； And bend my lonely couch above, And bring me rest, and bring me bliss³.

    The world is going； dark world, adieu！ Grim world, conceal⁴ thee till the day； The heart thou canst not all subdue⁵ Must still resist, if thou delay！

    Thy love I will not, will not share； Thy hatred⁶ only wakes a smile； Thy griefs may wound——thy wrongs may tear, But, oh, thy lies shall ne'er beguile⁷！ While gazing on the stars that glow Above me, in that stormless sea, I long to hope that all the woe⁸ Creation knows, is held in thee！

    And this shall be my dream to-night； I'll think the heaven of glorious spheres Is rolling on its course of light In endless bliss, through endless years； I'll think, there's not one world above, Far as these straining eyes can see, Where Wisdom ever laughed at Love, Or Virtue⁹ crouched¹⁰ to Infamy¹¹；

    Where, writhing¹² 'neath the strokes of Fate, The mangled¹³ wretch¹⁴ was forced to smile； To match his patience 'gainst her hate, His heart rebellious¹⁵ all the while. Where Pleasure still will lead to wrong, And helpless Reason warn in vain； And Truth is weak, and Treachery strong； And Joy the surest path to Pain； And Peace, the lethargy of Grief； And Hope, a phantom¹⁶ of the soul； And life, a labour, void and brief； And Death, the despot of the whole！