THE SUNSET THOUGHTS OF A DYING GIRL.

Friends! do you see in yon sunset sky,

That cloud of crimson bright?

Soon will its gorgeous colors die

In coming dim twilight;

E'en now it fadeth ray by ray —

Like it I too shall pass away!

Look on yon fragile summer flower

Yielding its sweet perfume;

Soon shall it have lived out its hour,

Its beauty and its bloom:

Trampled,‘ twill perish in the shade —

Alas! as quickly shall I fade.

Mark you yon planet gleaming clear

With steadfast, gentle light,

See, heavy dark clouds hovering near,

Have veiled its radiance bright —

As you vainly search that gloomy spot,

You'll look for me and find me not!

Turn now to yonder sparkling stream,

Where silver ripples play;

Dancing within the moon's pale beam —

Ah! short will be their stay,

They break and die upon the shore —

Like them I soon shall be no more!

Yes! emblems meet of my career,

Are ripple, cloud, and flower;

Fated like me to linger here,

But for a brief, bright hour —

And then, alas! to yield my place;

And leave, perchance, on earth no trace!

No trace, my friends, save in your hearts,

That pure and sacred shrine —

Where,‘ spite life's thousand cares and arts,

A place shall yet be mine;

And love as deep as that of yore —

Though on this earth we meet no more!