Picture posies, poems chiefly by living authors, and drawings

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George Routledge and Sons, 1874 - 235 pages
 

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Page 128 - I have lived long enough : my way of life Is fall'n into the sear, the yellow leaf ; And that which should accompany old age, As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends, I must not look to have ; but, in their stead, Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath, Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not.
Page 158 - Love! in such a wilderness as this, Where transport and security entwine, Here is the empire of thy perfect bliss, And here thou art a god indeed divine.
Page 155 - And yet, loved England ! when thy name I trace In many a pilgrim's tale and poet's song, How can I choose but wish for one embrace Of them, the dear unknown, to whom belong My mother's looks, — perhaps her likeness strong...
Page 156 - On hillock by the pine-tree half o'ergrown : And aye that volume on her lap is thrown, Which every heart of human mould endears ; With Shakspeare's self she speaks and smiles alone, And no intruding visitation fears, To shame the unconscious laugh, or stop her sweetest tears.
Page 152 - Came freshening, and reflecting all the scene (A mirror in the depth of flowery shelves) : So sweet a spot of earth, you might (I ween) Have guessed some congregation of the elves, To sport by summer moons, had shaped it for themselves.
Page 150 - Yet thou wert once the lovliest land of all That see the Atlantic wave their morn restore. Sweet land ! may I thy lost delights recall, And paint thy Gertrude in her bowers of yore, Whose beauty was the love of Pennsylvania's shore.
Page 59 - BY THE SEA. Why does the sea moan evermore? Shut out from heaven it makes its moan. It frets against the boundary shore; All earth's full rivers cannot fill The sea, that drinking thirsteth still. Sheer miracles of loveliness Lie hid in its unlooked-on bed: Anemones, salt, passionless, Blow flower-like; just enough alive To blow and multiply and thrive. Shells quaint with curve, or spot, or spike, Encrusted live things argus-eyed, All fair alike, yet all unlike, Are born without a pang, and die Without...
Page 154 - It seem'd as if those scenes sweet influence had On Gertrude's soul, and kindness like their own Inspired those eyes affectionate and glad, That seem'd to love whate'er they look'd upon ; Whether with Hebe's mirth her features shone, Or if a shade more pleasing them o'ercast, (As if for heavenly musing meant alone ;) Yet so becomingly th' expression past, That each succeeding look was lovelier than the last.
Page 156 - His arms the everlasting aloes threw ; Breathed but an air of heaven, and all the grove As if with instinct living spirit grew, . Rolling its verdant gulfs of every hue ; And now suspended was the pleasing din, Now from a murmur faint it swell'd anew, Like the first note of organ heard within Cathedral aisles, — ere yet its symphony begin.
Page 122 - How many knots a day? — Round the world and home again, That's the sailor's way! We've traded with the Yankees, Brazilians and Chinese; We've laughed with dusky beauties In shade of tall palm-trees; Across the line and Gulf-Stream — Round by Table Bay — Everywhere and home again, That's the sailor's way!

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