ST JOHN IN PATMOS.

War, and the noise of battle, and the hum

Of armies, by their watch-fires, in the night,

And charging squadrons, all in harness bright,

The sword, the shield, the trumpet, and the drum —

Themes such as these, too oft, in lofty song

Have been resounded, while the poet strung

His high heroic lyre, and louder sung

Of chariots flashing through the armed throng:—

But other sights and other sounds engage,

Fitlier, the thoughts of calm-declining age,

More worthy of the Christian and the sage;

Who, when deep clouds his country have o'ercast,

And sadder comes the moaning of the blast,

To God would consecrate a parting lay

Of holier homage, ere he pass away.