Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-02-28
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.
TFTon, the London .Atheneum


EVENINGS IN GREECE: The Poetry by
Thomas Moore, ESQ.,; the Music composed
and selected by Henry r. Bishop and MIR.
Moore. Second Evening. London, J. Pow.
er.
Here are dozen nosegays united by as many
garands. 81 In thus connecting together" says
the poet, ga series of songs by thread Of poe.
teal narrative, the object has been to combine
recitation with music, so as to enable greater
number Of persons to take share in the perform.
ance, BY eniisting as readers those whc may
not feel themselves competent as singers :"
The idea is good; nor has the author executed it
unskilfuily. He imagines that number OF young
persons have met together to enjoy the calm twi'
light on the shore of the Isle of Zea-the Coos
Of the Ancients; and that they sing, by way Of
commencement to matters more profane, the fol-
lowing sweet hymn:
When evening shades are falling
Ger Oceans sunny sleep,
To pilgrims hearts recalling
Their home beyond the deep;
When, rest DER all descending,
The shores with gIadness smile,
And lutes, their echoes blending,
Are heard from isle to isle,
Then, Mary, Star Of the Sea,
We pray, we pray to thee.
The noon day tempest over,
Now ocean tuils no more,
And wings of halcyons hover,
Where all was strife before;
On thus nv life, inclOsing
Its short tempestuous day,
Beneath heav'ns smile reposng,
Shine all its storms away:
Thus, Mary, Star OF the Sea,
We pray. we pray to thee!
Thoughts of the brighter DAYS Of Greece press,
it seems, through the mind OF one OF the maid.
ems: she sees in imagination the noble scul ptures
and glorious paintings of the days of Praxitelcs
and Appelles. aud encouraged by the approving
looks Of her lover, she sings
The Birth Of Porfraiture
As once Grecian maiden wove
Her garland mid the summer bow'rs,
There stood youth, with ewes of love,
To watch her while she wreathed the Howers.
The youth was skl'd in Paintings art,
But meier had studied woman's brow,
Nor knew the colourlng, which the heart
Can shed DER Natures charms till now.
CHORUS.
Blest be Love, to whom we owe
All that's fair and bright below.
His hand had pictured many rose,
And sketch'd the rays that light the brook;
But what we're these, or what we're those,
To woman's blush. to woman's looks
"Oh! if such magic power there be,
Al i'll -,
To paint that living light see.
And fix the soul that sparkles there"
HIS prayer as soon as breath'd was heard,
His pallet, touch'd by love, grew warm,
And painting saw her hues Transferred,
From lifelees flowers to woman's form.
Still az from tint to tint he stole.
The fair design shone out the more,
And there, was nov a life, a soul,
Where only colours gIow'd before.
Then first carnations Iearn'd to speak,
And lilies into life were brought,
While mantling on the maiden's cheek,
Young roses kindled into thought.
Then hyacinths their darkest dyes
Upon the locks of Beauty threw:
And vioets, transformed to eyes,
lnshrlned a soul within their blue.
The mention of statues naturally calls up the
memory of heroes; aud while the ma1ens and
youths Of Zea find it more gladstone to dwell on
the past than think on the present, they are
startled by the ra pid approach of boats
Twas from an isle Of mournfuI name,
From Missolonghi, last they came,--
Sad Missolonghi, sorrowingyet
Ger hun, the noblest Star Of Fame
That e'er ln'life's young glory set!
and by the mariners song:-
Thou art not dead-thOu art not dead!
No. dearest Harmodus, no.
Thy soul to realms above Us He'd,
Though. like star. it dweIs DER head.
Sill lights this world below,
Thou art not dead-thUu art not dead!
No, dearest Harmodius, no,
The myrtle, round that faichion spread
Which struck the immortal blow,
Throughout all time, with leaves unshed,-
The patriots hope. the tyrants dread.-
Round freedoms shrine shall grow.