―286―

TO STELLA.—No. V.

	IN vain, with ardent eye and daring     hand,
	I touch again the soft responsive wires,
	No meling music flows at my command,
	Nor Muse the meditated strain inspires.

	'Tis Glory's voice, 'tis Stella's silver lyre,
	The voice of praise, the hope of     honest fame;
	But, ah! not even these have power to fire
	My dropping soul, or rouse my lan-     guid frame

	Low on my hand reclines my sinking     head;*
	The lingering tears in sad succession     roll;
	Each flutt'ring form of bright-eyed Hope     is fled;
	And dire Despondence hovers o'er my     soul.

	Ah! how shall he, in whose unhallow'ed     breast,
	Seductive pleasure holds her thought-     less reign,
	Stand the unshaken friend of worth op-     prest,
	And sooth the orphan's woes     and widow's pain.

	Shall the weak youth, around whose hap-     less brow
	No lambent light on genius ever play'd,
	See awed opponents to his learning bow,
	And hoary judges by his wisdom     sway'd.

	For him shall Fame a leaureat wreath     prepare;
	And praise, in grateful incense, breathe     around:
	Shall Stella watch him with maternal     care,
	And bid her living lyre his name re-     sound.

	Fair but delusive hopes! my fate denies
	Each flatt'ring view thy beamy pencil     draws:
	I gaze—the quick tears rush into mine     eyes,
	And dim the dazzling plumes of proud     applause.

	See pale disease feed on my failing     frame,
	And ebbing life ooze out at every pore;
	And think'st thou, Stella, that I wish a     name,
	To last a little day when I'm no more?

	No: While I live and view the cheerful     light;
	While smiling friends possess on     soothing art,
	Let fame and care sink in oblivious night,
	And Love and Friendship triumph in     my heart.

	What though relentless death should     mar the scene,
	Nor Clara's smiles, nor Stella's strains     can save;
	Still will your gentle cares from anguish     skreen,
	And smooth the thorny passage to the     grave.

henry
  * This was written under the pressure
of an illness which, four weeks after-
wards, terminated in death. edit.