Classic Poem

III.—TO THE SAME, RELEASED

How flows thy being now?—like some glad hymn,
One strain of solemn rapture?—doth thine eye
Wander through tears of voiceless feeling dim,
O'er the crown'd Alps, that, 'midst the upper sky
Sleep in the sunlight of thine Italy?
Or is thy gaze of reverent love profound
Unto those dear parental faces bound,
Which, with their silvery hair, so oft glanced by
Haunting thy prison-dreams?—Where'er thou art,
Blessing be shed upon thine inmost heart,
Joy, from kind looks, blue skies, and flowery sod,
For that pure voice of thoughtful wisdom sent
Forth from thy cell, in sweetness eloquent,
Of love to man, and quenchless trust in God!