The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1848-03-27

most divinely Too many trees have been re-
moved-but still there are lovely shades about
the spot, and there is fine view in one di-
rection of rich fields and groves at no great
distance. What more could fancy picture !?
But ah this stupid utilitarian generation
Ye Muses. grid yourselves with patience -
Just Between Petrarch's dwelling and the
Fountain-just in the midst of this scene of
thrilling inspiration-prepare o lovers of the
sentimental for the downward step, stands
Corn mill, dabbling its prosaic paddles in these
immortal waters The heroic age is indeed
gone forever! The only painful thing about
our visit was that at last it had an end. To-
wards evening we retraced our steps in mus
ing mood to Avignon, and devoted the even
ing to moonlight ramble. Shade of Pc
trarch. forgive the bold presumption of writ
ing Sonnets in the neighborhood of
Vaucluse.
Stern, solemn grand, far up the dark blue heaven,
Thou old gray cliff, thou heayst thine awful form
| vi the woe waste OF years Deacon gwen,
Lonely and bare, and scared by time and storm
Hard at thy base, where all day shadows sleep,
| Spreads the wide Grotto Overarching high;
Adown its messy sides the cold tears weep,
And in its lap the crystal waters lie,
In sweet repose, as if there ventured nigh
This still retreat, no rude disturbing power;
No sound to pain the ear. no sight the eye;
Peace not more profound in Edens bower.
Far down the depths the pebbly slope is seen,
Then azure shades unperced by vision keen.
H.
| TITS such spot as Poets oft have sung,
Or fancy pictured in her widest dream;
spot the which while yet the world was young,
Had peopled been with Maids, and the stream,
Along whose murmuring course sweet odors breathe
From beds of fragrant thyme and roses wild,
Had been the haunt of Fays, that came to wreathe
Their fowery garlands when the moonbeams smil-
| ed; r
Now gushing forth through portals all unseen,
| And bubbling upward to the light of day,
| 1t dashes onward the rough rocks between,
! With sparkling foam-then sweeps its winding way
Down the long steep-then its rash speed Restraints,
And bears fresh beauty to the blooming plains
III.
Petrarca's Fountain Yes, thou dearest his name
name that distant nations shall rehearse;
A name that soareth not alone to fame,
Married to Laura's in immortal verse
OFT came he musing to the cooling shade,
When scorched the summers with noOntide
At twilight thther oft his footsteps strayed,
! To while with thee the pensive hour away:
Now-seated thoughtful by thy rocky side,
soft kind influence steals through all his soul;
Bright lovely visions now before him glide;
| Now-mark the tears of tenderness that roll
| Fixed is his gaze-but the winged soul is free
He thinks on LAURA-though he looks on THEE!
We left Avignon early the next morning for
Mines, taking in our way the splendid old
Roman remains of the Pont du Guard. This
noble aqueduct was carried across the Gard
river at vast height, sustained by three tiers
of arches, one above another. Il is in ro-
mantle situation, and in nearly perfect state.
We mounted to the top, some seventy feet
above the bed of the river, and walked up
right through the covered passages of solid
masonry, in which the waters flowed of old.
1t was by this aqueduct that the city OF Mines
was supplied with water in the time of the
Roman Emperors.
We arrived at Mines in the afternoon, and
commenced almost Immediately our survey of
this ancient city. 1t is situated in the midst
of fine champaign, has many fine modern
buildings, and contains the richest Roman
monuments of any place except the Eternal
City itself.
We went first into the amphitheatre; which
is like the Coliseum in form, but only about
two thirds as large. Still it is an immense
edifice, and is in excellent preservation. We
assembled the galleries one by one to the very
TOP, looked into the still perfect dens in which
the wild beasts were kept, and tried to mag
inc the scenes which had been witnessed in
the Arena. We returned also late in the
..a,.;.,ex 70 or,inx the view by rich moonlight.