Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-03-03
AN ALLEGoRlCAL DREAM.


AN ALLEGORlCAL DREAM.
Aud deans in Their de'elopemen, have breath,
And Teas, aud ,ori'es, aud the touch Of joy"
How strange the meteor visions seen in scep!-
They, va,ious scenes in livecst colours paint,
And of'tnes speak thrilling voice, foreboding
Or veal or wo-a voice, distinct aud clear;
But OF the warning comes, and fades too soon
Away, involved in darkness whence il sprung:
Again it comes,-is heard, and felt and clings
Tenacious 10 the spcll-bound memory.
Some dreams there that haunt the wakng HOURS
ceaselcss scourgc 10 Gie,-commingling bano
With streams that sparkle in the cup OF joy:
Others assume more cheerful mould, and wait
In comedy form attendant on le's patbs,
Quite dazzling sorrow with the sheen Of mirth.
While Judgment disapproves and reason tells
The folly OF the faith i'll dreams reposedr
The willing mind a ready credence gives
Io promises that harmonic with hopes
Amid the auriate clouds that deck the sky
At twilights meditative, melting hour,
Hay reclined-by powers unseen upheld.
Nought met my curious chances: Tor the couch
Whcrcon lollcd in listless luxury,
Did quite envelope me in fcecy
OF rich vcrmion, folds in folds involved.
Sercncly calm unused awhile, and felt
joyous glow of bliss Supremacy pure.
Sudden the golden canopy was rent,
And falling down on either hand, it left
trackless wasc-a space illimitabc-
Where vision sought in vain resting place;
But quick, my eye did seem 10 penetrate
The veil of mystery that hung around
FITS vastly ken; and soon saw beyond,
Far off, i'll dim perspective, pictured forth,
The figure OF this Earth-man's world-revolvng.-
II fast reccdcd as gazed, aud seemed
10 tear my very lille away; for well
knew il held the being that absorbed
NJ own-the rallying point of every hope
Ihe summit OF my widest aspiration.
long'd to be transported back again
To where my spirit might once more resume
Those silken letters which had bound its wings,
And chained il at her shrine, in servtude
More sweet than lonely liberty. But now,
While burning tear-drops trembled in my eyes,
scene not unfamiliar met my view;
And wonder half suspended fond regret
group Of figures were before me one,
The mother OF family held a book
An open book-it was the Holy Writ
From which she read aloud, while
And all-hcr children and their fathcr--stened
In silence, with seeming willingness,
Lent more in kindly love TO her who read
Than flowing from a feeling of devotion.
Then closing il, she laid the book aside,
And if that rcverentia air true,
She knecPd in humble penitcntia prayer
Her fair white hands were both extended upwards
As if to catch the Holy influence
So gratefully descending the soul.
Her face was placid, pale and beautiful.
Again cast one lingering look 10 where
The orb still roPd in awful, silent grandeur;
And when my hurried reverc past,
The group was still bciors me,-soncting changed;
For the members of that family
Stood on the mothers right, with interest,
Real and intense, beaming in their eyes,
As each gaZed with fixed attention
Her right hand, pointing towards their cherished world.
The polished arm, outstretchd with energy,
Glided-its motion just pcrccpibie-
Preserving with uncrring accuracy
The distant orb's direction. Firmly clenched,
The hand lookd large, and sinewy, and strong
Held up brawpy eublcm oil defiance.
a tansitory glow of cAultaon
MantPd each bush'd check, banch'd suddenly
BY dcath-lke palencss; as the hand assumed
A murly, hcalihless hue, and swelling fast
Increased in bulk, until il grew great
And heavy Tor the strength that nerv'd her ARM
Then lettering, dTopt down palsied by her side,
And wihered.-She trcmblcd,-but her eyes,
Sill lii with love, were turned upon the group,
Who tho alarmed, conounded and amazed,
Were rivctted TO that sad side where hung
The withercd limb. None the either hand
The lcil,-it had the while been held erect
Its thin, wan, taper fingers close together
AS II their weakness needed mutual aid.
The hand was very pale and delicate,
And trembling, and transparent, looked just like
The model of an angels hand carved out
OF pure pcllucd Iceland seemed as cold
Soon deserted 10 all beside unseen,
The smallest spark imaginable glmn,crDg
On the extremity of the middle finger;
As anXiously watched, saw angel
lowering nigl and flaming skilfully
With rapid wing the scin,aing fire:
And ever and anon hc stayed his pinion,
To scan with closer view his twinkng charge;
And then he fed il with small drops of ether,
Until The spark enkindled TO flame,
Which Shivered weak and iitfu in the breeze.
Just then, she raised her fearful eyes to Heaven,
And said, in accents Uemulously weak,
Lord and mine from this right hand
Which held out for The aoorld, now shr,Ink to ashesl
While thus she spoke, she felt the living flame
Burn her LETT hand, shedding genial warmth
Which did revive and re-inyigorae
The blighted hand restored 10 symmetry.
f,IrDpIrDDow