TO AN ABSENTEE. O'ER hill, and dale, and distant sea, Through all the miles that stretch between, My thought must fly to rest on thee, And would, though worlds should intervene. Nay, thou art now so dear, methinks The farther we are forc'd apart, Affection's firm elastic links But bind the closer round the heart. For now we sever each from each, I learn what I have lost in thee; Farewell! I did not know thy worth, SONG. I. THE stars are with the voyager Wherever he may sail; The moon is constant to her time; The sun will never fail ; But follow, follow round the world, Wherever he may be. II. Wherever he may be, the stars The moon will veil her in the shade; The sun will set at night. The sun may set, but constant love Will shine when he's away; So that dull night is never night, And day is brighter day. ODE TO THE MOON. I. MOTHER of light! how fairly dost thou go secure from dread? How many antique fancies have I read Of that mild presence! and how many wrought! Wondrous and bright, Upon the silver light, Chasing fair figures with the artist, Thought! What art thou like? II. Sometimes I see thee ride A far-bound galley on its perilous way, Whilst breezy waves toss up their silvery spray; Sometimes behold thee glide, Cluster'd by all thy family of stars, Like a lone widow, through the welkin wide, III. Oh, thou art beautiful, howe'er it be! A silver idol, and ne'er worshipp'd thee! Casting their dappled shadows at my feet; I will be grateful for that simple boon, In many a thoughtful verse and anthem sweet, eye, Before Care-fretted with a lidless I was thy wooer on my little bed, Letting the early hours of rest go by, To see thee flood the heaven with milky light, Their burnish'd helms, and crowns, and corslets bright, And ever thou didst spill in winding streams For fishes to new gloss their argent scales! V. Why sighs?-why creeping tears?- why clasped hands?— Is it to count the boy's expended dow'r? That fairies since have broke their gifted wands? That young Delight, like any o'erblown flow'r, Than ever I have found On sunny garden-plot, or moss-grown tow'r, |