But a few days had mingled with the past, When to the Maiden's glad but tremulous view The Christian's hated tents arose; her haste She doubled from straggler to straggler flew The whispered wonder, till a circle grew Widened and wedged; and as men who discern Some strange star on Night's mantle of deep blue, Admire and gaze, so they admiring burn To know the Lady's name, and her intentions learn. Well might they gaze-for not those Queens of earth Not Delos, Argos, not Cythèra fair, Tho' all their treasured beauties were sent forth, Could send a Dame of charms so rich and rare. Her form a painter's phantasy-her hair The white veil tempers now, and now the ray Of its luxuriant brightness might compare To His, who thus through some wild shifting day The cloud now brooks-now laughs its impotence away. Despite of Nature's skill, each glowing tress But on her lips, to eloquent Love so dear, The Rose, in ruddy state, what rival ventures near? Bare is her bosom's snow-white witchery, And from that dazzling tower, on friend and foe, Plies the Boy-god his matchless archery; Her firm round breasts alternate ebb and flow, work, Ennobling all the beauties that in ambush lurk. As the Sun wings his fleet, innocuous, dart So mimic Fancy plays the counter-part, To muse-to revel there-but never tire: The heart-felt rush of blood-breath stopped-and tingling fire.- H V. SPEECH OF GODFREY TO HIS DISPIRITED SOLDIERS. SOLDIERS of God! chosen pillars of the Word! To' uphold the which, that badge, dyed in the blood Of His redemption, was on you conferred,You that with me Death's every change have viewed, Wrestled a thousand perils-and subdued slave, And o'er your crouching souls her paly standard wave? Cannot your God-inspiring God and guideWithin your minds a firm reliance build? Hath He not stemmed of ills a mightier tide? And Gratitude and Love vowed praises singThen hold ye bravely on, with bright hopes blossoming. |