Classic Poem

Sweet Creature! issuing like a dream
So softly from that wood!
— She glideth on a sunny gleam —
In youth and innocence so bright,
She lendeth lustre to day-light
And life to solitude!
O'er all her face a radiance fair
That seemeth to be native there!
No transient smile, no burst of joy
Which time or sorrow may destroy,
A soul-breathed calm that ne'er may cease!
The spirit of eternal peace!
The sunshine may forsake the sky,
But the blue depths of ether lie
In stedfast meek serenity
Onward she walks — with that pure face
Shedding around its gladdening grace —
Those cloudless eyes of tenderest blue
Sparkling through a tearlike dew —
That golden hair that floats in air
Fine as the glittering gossamer —
That motion dancing o'er the earth
Without an aim — in very mirth —
That lark-like song whose strengthening measure
Is soaring through the air of pleasure —
— Is she not like the innocent Morn?
When from the slow-unfolding arms
Of Night, she starts in all her charms,
And o'er the glorious earth is borne,
With orient pearls beneath her feet, —
All round her, music warbling sweet,
And o'er her head the fulgent skies
In the fresh light of Paradise.

Lo! Sadness by the side of Joy!
— With raven tresses on her brow
Braided o'er that glimpse of snow —
O'er her bosom stray locks spread
As if by grief dishevelled —
Unsparkling eyes where smiles appear
More mournful far than many a tear —
Voice most gentle, sad, and slow,
Whose happiest tones still breathe of woe —
As in our ancient Scottish airs
Even joy the sound of sorrow wears —
Motion like a cloud that goes
From deep to more profound repose —
Seems she not in pensive light
Image of the falling night?
— Still survive faint gleams of day,
But all sinking to decay —
There is almost mirth and gladness,
Temper'd soft with peace and sadness —
Sound comes from the stream and hill,
But the darkening world is still —
The heavens above are bright and holy,
Most beautiful — most melancholy —
And gazing with suspended breath,
We dream of grief — decay — and death!