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I once was too haughty by far to complain； But am become feeble through age and pain； And therefore I often give vent to my woes； When through my branches the wild wind blows。
A night like this； so calm and clear； I have not seen for many a year； The milk…white doe and her tender fawn Are skipping about on the moonlight lawn； And there； on the verge of my time…worn root； Two lovers are seated； and both are mute： Her arm encircles his youthful neck； For none are present their love to check。 This night would almost my sad heart cheer； Had I one hope or one single fear。
LINES TO SIX…FOOT THREE。
A lad； who twenty tongues can talk And sixty miles a day can walk； Drink at a draught a pint of rum； And then be neither sick nor dumb Can tune a song； and make a verse； And deeds of Northern kings rehearse Who never will forsake his friend； While he his bony fist can bend； And； though averse to brawl and strife Will fight a Dutchman with a knife。 O that is just the lad for me； And such is honest six…foot three。
A braver being ne'er had birth Since God first kneaded man from earth： O； I have cause to know him well； As Ferroe's blacken'd rocks can tell。 Who was it did； at Suderoe； The deed no other dar'd to do？ Who was it； when the Boff ｛31｝ had burst； And whelm'd me in its womb accurst … Who was it dash'd amid the wave； With frantic zeal； my life to save？ Who was it flung the rope to me？ O； who； but honest six…foot three！
Who was it taught my willing tongue； The songs that Braga ｛32｝ fram'd and sung？ Who was it op'd to me the store Of dark unearthly Runic lore； And taught me to beguile my time With Denmark's aged and witching rhyme： To rest in thought in Elvir shades； And hear the song of fairy maids； Or climb the top of Dovrefeld； Where magic knights their muster held？ Who was it did all this for me？ O； who； but honest six…foot three！
Wherever fate shall bid me roam； Far； far from social joy and home； 'Mid burning Afric's desert sands； Or wild Kamschatka's frozen lands； Bit by the poison…loaded breeze； Or blasts which clog with ice the seas； In lowly cot or lordly hall； In beggar's rags or robes of pall； 'Mong robber…bands or honest men； In crowded town or forest den； I never will unmindful be Of what I owe to six…foot three。
That form which moves with giant…grace； That wild； though not unhandsome； face； That voice which sometimes in its tone Is softer than the wood…dove's moan； At others； louder than the storm Which beats the side of old Cairn Gorm； ｛33｝ That hand； as white as falling snow； Which yet can fell the stoutest foe； And； last of all； that noble heart； Which ne'er from honour's path would start； Shall never be forgot by me … So farewell； honest six…foot three！
NATURE'S TEMPERAMENTS。 FROM THE DANISH OF OEHLENSLAEGER。
SADNESS。
Lo； a pallid fleecy vapour Far along the East is spread； Every star has quench'd its taper； Lately glimmering over head。 On the leaves； that bend so lowly； Drops of crystal water gleam； Yawning wide； the peasant slowly Drives afield his sluggish team。 Dreary looks the forest； lacking Song of birds that slumber mute； No rough swain is yet attacking； With his bill； the beech's root。 Night's terrific ghostly hour Backward through time's circle flies； No shrill clock from moss…grown tower Bids the dead men wake and rise。 Wearied out with midnight riot Mystic Nature slumbers now； Mouldering bodies rest in quiet； 'Neath their tomb…lids damp and low； Sad and chill the wind is sighing Through the reeds that skirt the pool； All around looks dead or dying； Wrapt in sorrow； clad in dool。
GLEE。
Roseate colours on heaven's high arch Are beginning to mix with the blue and the gray； Sol now commences his wonderful march； And the forests' wing'd denizens sing from the spray。 Gaily the rose Is seen to unclose Each of her leaves to the brightening ray。 Waves on the lake Rise； sparkle； and break： O Venus； O Venus； thy shrine is prepar'd； Far down in the valley o'erhung by the grove； Where； all the day； Philomel warbles； unscar'd； Her silver…ton'd ditty of pleasure and love。
Innocence smiling out…carrols the lark； And the bosom of guilt becomes tranquil again； Nightmares and visions； the fiends of the dark； Have abandon'd the blood and have flown from the brain。 Higher the sun Up heaven has run； Beaming so fierce that we feel him with pain； Man； herb； and flower； Droop under his power。 O Venus； O Venus； thy shrine is prepar'd； Far down in the valley o'erhung by the grove Where； all the day； Philomel warbles； unscar'd； Her silver…ton'd ditty of pleasure and love。
MADNESS。
What darkens； what darkens？'t is heaven's high roof： What lightens？'t is Heckla's flame； shooting aloof： The proud； the majestic； the rugged old Thor； The mightiest giant the North ever saw； Transform'd to a mountain； stands there in the field； With ice for his corslet； and rock for his shield； With thunder for voice； and with fire for tongue； He stands there； so frightful； with vapour o'erhung。 On that other side of the boisterous sea Black Vulcan； as haughty as ever was he； Stands； chang'd to a mountain； call'd Etna by name； Which belches continually oceans of flame。 Much blood have they spilt； and much harm have they done； For both； when the ancient religions were gone； Combin'd their wild strength to destroy the new race； Who were boldly beginning their shrines to deface。 O； Jesus of Nazareth； draw forth the blade Of vengeance； and speed to thy worshippers' aid； Beat down the old gods； cut asunder their mail … Amen！brother Christians； why look ye so pale。
THE VIOLET…GATHERER。 FROM THE DANISH OF OEHLENSLAEGER。
Pale the moon her light was shedding O'er the landscape far and wide； Calmly bright； all ills undreading； Emma wander'd by my side。
Night's sad birds their harsh notes utter'd； Perching low among the trees； Emma's milk…white kirtle flutter'd Graceful in the rising breeze：
Then； in sweetness more than mortal； Sang a voice a plaintive air； As we pass'd the church's portal； Lo； a ghostly form stood there！
〃Emma； come； thy mother's calling； Lone I lie in night and gloom； Whilst the sun and moon…beams； falling； Glance upon my marble tomb。〃
Emma star'd upon the figure； … Wish'd to speak； but vainly tried； Press'd my hand with loving vigour； Trembledfaulter'dgasp'dand died！
Home I bore my luckless maiden； Home I bore her in despair； Chilly blasts； with night…dew laden； Rustled through her streaming hair。
Plunging then amid the forest； Soon I found the stately tree； Under which； when heat was sorest； She was wont to sit with me。
Down my cheek ran tears in fever； While with axe its stem I cut； Soon it fell； and I with lever Roll'd it straight to Emma's hut。
Kiss'd her oft； and love empassion'd Sung a song in wildest tones； While the oaken boards I fashion'd； Doom'd to hide her lovely bones。
Thereupon I sought the bower； Where she kept her single hive； Morning shone on tree and flower； All around me look'd alive。
Stung by bees in thousand places； Out I took the yellow comb； Emma； deck'd in all her graces； Past my vision seem'd to roam。
Soon of wax I form'd a taper； O'er my love it cast its ray； 'Till the night came； clad in vapour； When in grave I laid her cl