POEM. WE meet to part! As when some timid bride, With heart alternate filled with hopes and fears, In Fancy's glass a shadowy realm extends, Which summer sunsets throw o'er southern skies; And scatter wreaths along the opening years. Fame proffers chaplets to reward the great; Our buoyant souls her winning voice inspires We long this hidden Future to explore ; Pant for release, exultingly resign These placid shades, seats of the sacred Nine, And eager press to mingle in the strife, And bear our destined parts in busy life. Oh! if on high availed the minstrel's prayer, Its sky unsullied by one cloud of care, With naught to mar its sweet tranquillity! But why impatient its new scenes to try? Why wish to speed the parting moment near? "Twill come full soon to rend each silken tie, That bound us in a band of brothers here. Full soon the world's stern lessons shall be ours That world for which we've sighed so oft and long, Where Fancy paints a paradise of flowers, And Hope allures us with her syren song. Its cold realities must greet us now, Perchance with icy withering breath, to blight The dreams which gave to youth its beaming browThose fond, fantastic visions of delight! |