The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1843-02-17

From Early soliness free,
Ifloutl,'d, will rM the music yet,
II first ed Of thee.
We cannot dismiss Pnkncy without giving place
to his "Serenade," song which is only not fault
less, because il is so studded with beauties. 50
crowded with branls, that the eye is dazzled IN
contemplating it, and would lain have Il momenla-
ry relief by gazing on something less splendid
SERENADE.
Look out upon the stars, my love.
Aud shame them with thine eyes,
On which, than on The lights above,
There hang more desilnlrs.
Nights beauty is the harmony
OF blending shades and lish,;
Then, lady, up,-lonk out, aud DO
A sister TO the night!
Sleep no.!-hnc image wakes for aye
Within my watching breast:
Sleep ot-iiom her soli sleep should fly,
who rolDs all hearts of rest.
Nay, lady, from thy sunbcrs break,
And u,ake This darkness gay
With looks, whose brightness well might make
OF darker yhls day.
Charles Fenno Hoffman. This gentleman has
written many fine songs, and seems TO have writ.
ten them much US Pinkncy wrote his, for both
writers eyince artistic skill TO a high degree in
their lyrics. But Pinkney has scared to Il heish
to which Hoffman has yet 10 aspire. The former
has nearly, some would say altogether attained
that point in art where art seems nature; and
accordingly, united 10 much ornatenesS in de-
tail, we have as the general effect, in Plnkney's
songs, chas,c and severe simplicity As Demos
themes was to other orators so is Pmkney 10 other
sung writer's. Hoffman on the contrary, be,rays
his art in every line; and allho ugh here is free.
dom in his songs us flhey were written con amore,
yet that freedom walks in jewellcd apparel, and
regulates her steps according 10 the last lesson Of
the dancing master. There is no such thing as
simplicity in IIo'nan's songs They are a'spark-
ling and bright" as The wine he loves To commeIn-
oraie, or the bright eyes it is his delight TO eSo
lie resembles Moore in many things, but we ques
ton if he produces his songs with the labor and
time of his master. Hoffman has caught his style
from reading the "lri-h Melodies rather than
the songs of iIencl and he writes unconscious
Iy after the more bastard style Of the former
There is too much Of oblrusve epigramnaic turn,
too much mock sentiment, too much Of what we
should call halderdash about the songs Of lloif
some of his better moments he has SCARED to the
atmosphere Of Waller, but he has soon returned
with dropping and weary wing. We like best
those of his lyrics which relate to war and wine
IN his songs to the other sex he speaks after too
mincng fashion. But for the songs. And frs,
we will give one Of his gayest.
SPARKLING AND BRIGHT.
Sparkling and brigh, in liquid light
Does The wine our gollels CLEAN in,
With hue as red as The rosy bed
Which n bee would choose to dream in.
Then ill 10 night with hearts MS light,
TO loves as gay and fleeing
As bubbles that swim on the beakcr's brim
And break on the lips while meeting.
OH If Mirh might arrest the flight
OF time through lfe's donnons.
We here while would now beguie
The gra, heard of his pnions,
To drink tonight wllh hearts as light,
TO loves as gay and ileeIing
Az bubbles that swim on the bcakcr's brin,
And break OIL The lips while meeting
Blu, since delight can't tempt the wight,
Nor fond regret delay him,
Nor Love himself can hold the elf,
Nor sober Friendship stay him,
Wen drink tonight with hearts as light,
To o!es ms gay and heciIng
AS bubbles that swim on the beaker's brim,
And break on the lips while meeting.
After song on wine what is mole appropriate
than one on war: and here is
THE MYRTLE AND STEEL.
One bumper yet, snllan,s, at parting,
One toast ere we arm for the fight;
Fill round, each TO her he loves deurest-
IT'S the last he may pledge her. lo-nigh
Think Of those who Of old ut the banquet.
Did Their weapons in gnllands conceal,
The patriot heroes who hllowed
The eniwining Of myrtle and steel!
Then hey for thy myrtle and steel,
Then no fur The myrtle and steel,
let every true blade that err lor'd fair maid,
Fill round 10 the myrtle and steel!
Tis in moments like this, when each bosom
With lis highest toned feeling is warm,
like The music that's said from The ocean
To rise ere the gathering storm,
That her image around US should hover,
Whose name, lhongh our lips ne er reveal,
We may breathe mid the foam of bumper,
A we drink TO Thy myrtle and steel,
Then hey for thy myrtle and steel,
Then no for thy myrtle aud steel,
,et every true blade that Ger lov'd fair maid,
Fill round TO the myrtle and stoel'