LOVE'S APPARITION AND EVANISHMENT

Like a lone Arab, old and blind,

Some caravan had left behind,

Who sits beside a ruin'd well,

Where the shy sand-asps bask and swell;

And now he hangs his agéd head aslant,

And listens for a human sound — in vain!

And now the aid, which Heaven alone can grant,

Upturns his eyeless face from Heaven to gain;—

Even thus, in vacant mood, one sultry hour,

Resting my eye upon a drooping plant,

With brow low-bent, within my garden-bower,

I sate upon the couch of camomile;

And — whether‘ twas a transient sleep, perchance,

Flitted across the idle brain, the while

I watch'd the sickly calm with aimless scope,

In my own heart; or that, indeed a trance,

Turn'd my eye inward — thee, O genial Hope,

Love's elder sister! thee did I behold,

Drest as a bridesmaid, but all pale and cold,

With roseless cheek, all pale and cold and dim,

Lie lifeless at my feet!

And then came Love, a sylph in bridal trim,

And stood beside my seat;

She bent, and kiss'd her sister's lips,

As she was wont to do;—

Alas!‘ twas but a chilling breath

Woke just enough of life in death

To make Hope die anew.