The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1857-09-12

| Anu vi sweet Sylvan anlNcmS 10 heaven as
The car will still mark one whose notes are
most rare;
SO in that throng of youth and pleasure,
Where lcctkcpt time to music's measure,
There WAS one maid with temples crown'd
BY bays her ssterhood had bound
So gentle she, and swectly mild,
| She Seem'd on earth heaycn-born child
They called her lovely Asphodel,
The pride!and beauty OF Gethmel!
IIel voice was all that music breathcs
| or sweetness in its wiching strAin,-
Her smile had all that beauty wrcaths
In links that form her captive's ch,n,
Soon by that gentle niaidens side
| Twas happiness twas heaven to be,
And hours that forced us to divide,
Were dire with Deaths deep agony;
Ere long language we had learned,
Which sought no words its tale to tell,
But spoke those thoughts that thrlPd and
burn'd,
In glances that arose and fell.
Thro' shady groves, by murmurins streams
1t was our wont alone to stray,
| And tell to each, hopes pleasant dreams
OF youth and pleasures c!oudless day.
Once as we roved thro' paths so sweet,
| (The flowers sprans blnshing round our feet
Aud birds Of music thronSd the way,
| We paused cntrancad with ecstacy,
Beneath spreading cypress tree,
Where ran the river noslcssly,
| And moor'd that ilow'ry bank beside,
| Rising and sinking on the tide,
Like peaceful slumber'S quiet breath
Which marks unconscious life from Death
There lay boat with gilded PROV
AMI garlands wrcathd upon her bow,
While o'cr us from that dark bough'd tree
Came words of love cntwn'd with song,
Which rising higher, bold and free
ltpour'd the list ming vale along =
"Eycs of fl,mc, and lips of amber
DAintier than the coral she'll
Cleaning in its deep sea chamber,
Down where ftbled gcnii dwell.
"Chccl1s of rose aud tresscs brighter
Than the wild birds glossy wing,
Teeth of pearl, and bosom winter
Than magnolias Of the spring.
"Form of Fay, and foot that 1ilcetcr
Than the bounding young gazellci
Who hath smiles and beauty swcctcr
Than the laughing Asphodel-
Love hath rcar'd an altar fair
In the heart of hearts for her,
And cnshrined her image there
Who hath kncel'd its worshiper9
"Lct her ask the blush that bcameth
Brighter whca her form is ncaer,
Let her ask the eye that tcrm2th
When that form Of grace appear.
81 Let the maiden ask the secret
or her heart and it will tell
None can read the mystic riddle,
Save the hear; of Asphode."
The song had ceased and that soft lay,
Like sinking zephyr died away.
Beside MS in the quiet shade,
Stood Hope in gaudy plumes array'd
Her pinions shed dazzling gleam,
Like gilded dome in eyes soft beam.
The chcrub's face in smiles was wreathed
And heaven was in her soft blue eye,
The words which sweet and low she
breathed,
We're Gloves, delicious witchery."
And pointing with one tiny hand,
Fair as the snow ere from the sand
Is ta'en that blemished hue OF earth,
Which fouls all things of heavenly birth,
With blandeSt art, that cherub child,
Strovc to lead the maiden mild
Toward the beach, were decl'd so gay,
And moor'd, her tiny vessel lay,
But from her former self estranged,
That maid before so meekly mild
To frowns her woned smiles had changed
And thrlsting side the heavenly child
With naughty scorn and rudest hand,
She left the cherub on the strand,
With furnished plume and willing form,
Sinking, like flower before the storm.
A funeral train with solemn tread
Moving with the silent dead -
Worn and weary, sad and slow,
In thai sable weeds they go,
And mournfu note of woe
Rises from that stricken band,
AS they tread the blighted land.
Through valley hid from day,
They slowly wend their weary way,
Till they reach the rock bound shore,
Where the surf with sullenroar
Breaks and foams for ever more.
There, their weary steps they stay,
And the sable bier they lay,
| On the damp and dreary clay
Round that dark and silent tomb
Range the mourners; sad and gloom,
An aged pair with gray hairs how'd,
Dropping hot tears ON the shroud,
! Wailing for the hope that died,
With one whom parental pride
Had fondly watched from infant play
Through youths dawn to manhood's day.
A niser with cold fearless eye
And gaunt and wither'd form stood by,
Fixing his stated gaze were lay
That pail and bier upon the clay,
liio JoutH Wao oPcut III ilcdpluR ore,
And manhood added to the store,
And in that pile of shining dust
For happiness he placed his trust;
When youth had flown and manhood past,
And age came trooping on at last,
With falling eye, and palsied tread,
And whered cheek, and silver d head
To sooth him in life S dark ming hour,
The shining dust had lost its powr
And Hope, and youth, and manhood flown
Had left him weary, sad, and lone.
Among that band, who dropt tear
Upon Hopes grave and silent bier,
" as one, maid of gentle form
~ 30 seem d roed to brave lifes storm.
esisheyel bands, her hair
bosom fair;