THE AGES. The twinkling maize-field rustled on the shore; The warrior lit the pile, and bound his captive there : XXXI. Not unavenged-the foeman, from the wood, XXXII. Look now abroad-another race has filled New colonies forth, that toward the western seas 25 Here the free spirit of mankind, at length, Or curb his swiftness in the forward race : XXXIV. Europe is given a prey to sterner fates, And writhes in shackles ; strong the arms that chain That batten on her blood, and break their net. XXXV. But thou, my country, thou shalt never fall, THE AGES. Are the wide barrier of thy borders, where, Thou laugh'st at enemies: who shall then declare B 2 27 TO THE PAST. THOU unrelenting Past! Strong are the barriers round thy dark domain, Far in thy realm withdrawn Old empires sit in sullenness and gloom, Lie deep within the shadow of thy womb. Childhood, with all its mirth, Youth, Manhood, Age, that draws us to the ground, And last, Man's Life on earth, Glide to thy dim dominions, and are bound. Thou hast my better years, Thou hast my earlier friends-the good-the kind, Yielded to thee with tears The venerable form-the exalted mind. My spirit yearns to bring The lost ones back—yearns with desire intense, Thy bolts apart, and pluck thy captives thence. TO THE PAST. In vain-thy gates deny All passage save to those who hence depart; Thou giv'st them back-nor to the broken heart. In thy abysses hide Beauty and excellence unknown-to thee Are gathered, as the waters to the sea; Labours of good to man, Unpublished charity, unbroken faith,- And grew with years, and faltered not in death. Full many a mighty name Lurks in thy depths, unuttered, unrevered; With thee are silent fame, Forgotten arts, and wisdom disappeared. Thine for a space are they- All that of good and fair Has gone into thy womb from earliest time, The glory and the beauty of its prime. |