New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-01-30
BRYANT'S POEMS.


THIRTY POEMS. By WILLIAn CULLEN BRYASr limo.
PIP. IT, ID. Appleton X Co.
Tho contents of this volume exhibit in the mel
low ripeness Of maturity the rare qualities which
from tho commencement Of his bright career, near
ly half century ago. have given the author an un-
sullied fame as " poet Of the land" Free from
the vehement impulses of passion, they celebrate
the sweet and tender affections Of humanity, and
tho genial beauty and significance OF external ma
ture. Combining a profound sense OF the ideal
aspects Of the universe with transparent realism
of description, Mr.. Bryants poems interpret the
language of earth and sky, of ocean and mountain,
Of forest and stream, to the heart of man. Their
perusa imparts the same chaste and elevating ntu-
ence as retreat to the tranquil scenes OF natural
loneliness The secret Of their power which has
been so fully tested by time may be found in their
fidelity to the highest spiritual aspirations, their
sympathy with the deepest and most earnest phases
of human experience, and the startling truthful
ness OF their delineation3 Of nature. The form IN
which they arc clothed is the harmonious express
sion of their spirit. With no remarkable smooth
ness or luency of versication, the simple ygor of
their style justly represents the purity and dignity
of their thought. Several of the pieces in this
volume betray an increasing depth Of emotion,
more tender pathos, and less retcent religious SYM
pahes, az if the lengthening shadows of life sug-
gested reflections and images Of more solemn im-
port than belonged to the aneipations youth and
the resolute feryor of active manhood. The traits
TO which We have alluded are ell embodied in the
following poem the soft and beautiful dction OF
CIT. 4 "a Tn cf
sentiment:
THE LIFE THAT IS.
THou who 60 long hast pressed the couch Of pain,
oh welcome welcome back 70 life's free breath
To LIES free breath and days sweet light again,
From the clill shadows OF the gate OF death.
For thou hadst reached the twilight bound between
The world Of spirits and this erosser sphere
Dimly by ihee the things Of earth we're seen,
And family fell earths voices on thine sar.
And now, how gladly we behold. at last.
The wontod smile returning TO thy brow;
The very winds low whisper, breathing past
In the Light leaves, is music to thee now
Thou were not weary Of thy lot; the earth
Was ever good and pleasant in Thy sights
Still cung thy loves about the household Hearth.
And sweet was every days returning light
Then welcome back to all thou wouldst not leave,
To this grand march OF seasons. days and h0uTsi
The glory OF the morn, the glow OF eve,
The beauty Of the streams, and stars, and fowersj
To eyes on which thine own delight to rest
10 voices which it is thy Joy 10 hear;
To the kind tolls that ever pleased thee best
TIE willing tasks Of love that made Life dear
Welcome 10 grasp Of friendly hands, to prayers
Offered where crowds in reyerent worship come,
Or softly breathed amid the tender cares
And loving inmates OF thy quiet home.
Thou brings no tidings Of the better land.
Even from its verge; the mysteries opened there
Are what the faithful heart may understand
In its still depths, yet words may not declare.
And web deem that. from the brighter side
or lie's dim border some o'erfowing rays
Streamed from the inner glory, shall abide
Upon thy spirit through the coming days
Twice vert thou given me; once in thy fair prime.
Fresh from the helds Of youth, when hrst We met,
And all the blossoms Of that hopeful time
Clustered and giowed whereof thy steps were set
And now In thy ripe Autumn. once again
Given back 10 feryent prayers and yearnngs strong.
From the drear realm OF sickness and Of pain.
when We had watched. and feared and irenhied
long.
Now may we keep thee from the balrny air
And radiant walks OF heaven q Little space,
Where He who went before thee 20 prepare
For HIS meek followers shall assign thy place.
The same may be said Of this scene from the
drama Of human life:
WAITING BY THE GATE.
BEsrpY massive gateway built up In years gone BY
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