The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-10-30
MISCELLANEOUS.
From The Southern Rose.
THE FAIR SPIRIT.

ae From, the Southern Rose.
THE FAIR SPIRIT
Attracted by the beauty of the night, !
wandered forth with two companions to en-
ioy ramble on the beach Of our Island
The silent moon diffused its rays over the
quiet deep, the star of evening not yet set,
the delightful breeze that famed our cheeks,
so refreshing after the heat Of a summers
day, the shores of the neighboring Isles,
beautifully lit up in the distance, subdued
strains Of music or lively conversation heard
at intervals from the groups scattered here
and there upon the sands, all things around
were calculated to create agreeable emotions.
II was time for pleasant thoughts, time
for romantic fancies, and nayhap for a sweet
melancholy. One oil us wished he. was
solitary boatman upon the sea at that moment.
Another, that his spirit might pass from earth
at such season, having foretaste for a
brighter world from the loneliness of the pre-
sent. We were soon left the only party on
the beach, and while my companions con-
tinued to converse, threw myself down upon
rock, in an distracted state of mind, par
taking both Of musing and reverie. Images
of the past presented themselves to my fancy;
my childhood's home, the days Of innocent
sports and careless gaiety, the scenes thro'
which | had passed, the airy castles | had
built, the connections of friendship had
formed, the hopes, the fears Of the present
and future, all filed my mind in rapid success
ed to lie amid the murmuring waters of the
ocean. The sky touched my eyes. Som
nus, twin brother to death, held me in close
embrace. And now ap-
peared before me beautiful female. Soft
aerial music played around, the musicians,
themselves invisible. She was robed in a
long flowing mantle of azure gauze, which
fell gracefully over her and dazzled by its
lustre too close survey. "Grace was in all
her steps" She cast her eyes upon me,
lustrous orbs, which filled me with an I'M
utterable longing to know more Of her but
the words would have spoken died away ere
they passed my lips. She raised her hand,
her white delicate hand. The music ceased,
and yet gave place only 10 sweeter sounds.
Il am she said, 'one of the seraphs Of air,
my dwelling place among the feecy clouds.
1t was long my destiny to follow in the track
and keep up with the chariot of the sun
Since men devoted themselves to the pursuit
of the arts and sciences, Apollo has appoint
ed me his agent on earth, and committed to
NV hand other and more delightful duties
The sage Numa once boasted me his associ-
ate, Plato, too. / have selected many from
all clmes, with whom have abode for sea-
son; but few have had the happiness of be-
holding me. My name among seraphs is
Gleuckphose. You are, young man, about to
enter upon life, busy scene, scene OF
Joys and sorrows, Of happiness and misery.
The path Of youth is beset with dangers, and
often the greatest ills lie concealed under the
most attractive semblances. Attend to me,
and you shall have a clue to the labyrinthne
way And remember, it is in your power to
live loved, honored and respected, an exam
pie to future times, or yours may be name
for the loathing of posterity, or but to appear
upon the stage Of action and pass away as
that which has never been, unknown, Union
ored, unlamented You have within you 8
strong desire for excellence-you have am
bition. Let this be directed towards pro-
per object, and let this be the sole object Of
life. Strain every nerve and task all the
energies Of your mind in this pursuit. Let
not the pleasures in which youth loves to in
dulge sway you from your path. Remember
that knowledge is power; fear not to drink
deep at her fountains. Shake of dull sleep
and let him have no more sway over you than
nature requires. Shall speak of temperance
What need ! if not temperate :" the power Of
thought, the magic OF the mind is cioudcd
is of no avail For man, there are high des.
TIMES, noble objects; initiate not, then, the
brute that perishes. If you would take q
partner for life, let no influence of friends
cause you to disregard the voice of the afiec'
tons Marry her for herself, not for the ad
ventitious qualities she may possess. Beal
in mind that ~ The only amaranthine flower or
earth is virtue,' and let garlands Of this en-
circle your brows. If you would find Ger
tain happiness in life --." The voic,
ceased She turned, and with warnin.
gesture, amid the most delightful harmonies
vanished from before me. endeavored t,
follow, but was bound by spell, an irresis
,iblc enchantment TO the spot She hac
passed
/" To the land where sin bad never been,
A land Of love and land Of light,
81 Without cen SUI, or moon, or nights &
Where the rivers swayed living stream,
The light pure celestial beam,
The land Of spirits, 1t would seem,
A pure, an everlasting dream"