The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-12-13

1.-The following lines were published by the
author, some years since, 10 the Yale Literary
Magazine, but will probably prove new to most
of our readers.
One night I slumbered, mid visions unnum.
bered,
MID fantasies wierd aud forlorn,
While scenes ne'er enacted an5 dramas ne'er
acted,
In wondrous succession were born,
While imps grim u1sightly, who visit me nightly
Were Kissing their oaths in my ear
Iheard low knock as II from the clock
That stood in the chimney place near.
heard it again; "'Iis naDght bdt The rain
As it swiftly comes psttering IN on the pane,
Or the pendulum ticking" cried
But The only reply. in return to my cry,
Was a knock IN the clock at my side.
Though fearful and trembling, yeI, courage dis
semblng.
murmured in tremulous tone,
- BE thou angel or devil; good spirit or evil.
j order thee hence TO be gone.'
shuddered with fear for near 10 my ear,
In spite Of the rain drops without, could hear
A whisper as If from the dead.
Harsh, hideous, hOarse, cold, cruel and cross,
And telling of misery, woe and Iernorse,
In slow, measured accents, IL said.
Come hItber; unlock the door of this clock,
For here I'm prisoner; what, co You dread
"A ~, III.
Confined 10 this old oaken clock on the shelf?
I'd do you DO i'll, cen had the will,
And promise your utmost desires to fulfill"
"who are you ?" cried. " Old nj ok !" he replied.
"Some folks call me Satan; the. Devil beside,
But come set me free, / beseeoh you,
And treasures untold. both in jewels and gold
I'll Give you for ever TO have and 20 hold;
Their marvellous uses vi teach yop."
"It sure we're not wise, though great be the prize,
To set free IN ones presence, thh father Of lies I;
But il doth not appear. and pray you make clear,
BY what reason you chance to be prisoner here"
"Oh no tits a secret that neer must be told;
But III give you treasure more precious than
gold:
II you'll liberate me you shall never grow old;
Your blood in its coursings shall never flow cold !;
You shall wear the gift Of immortal bloom,
Forgetful OF misery, death and the gloom
Which 'er broodeIh ever the walls OF the tombn
"Iknow - replied !, that ere long must die;
The moments of lifetime are fast heetng by,
Their limit each hour bringetb nearer.
Zen could receive what you offer TO give,
Do YOU think that forever on earth would live
While in Heaven rest those who are desrers"
:" know of maid, young coipsly and staid,
And radiant with beauty which never can fade;
With large, dreamy eyes of the tint Of the skies,
When the moon from her starry couch seemeth to
rise,
With lips Of the rosiest hue;
And swear by my head, he you living or dead,
No mortal beside You this maiden shall we'd
None other shall hold her thar you."
"Ahl once did love one as rsnre as the dove,
But now she is changed to an angel above;
Yet oft in the light OF the still.stsrry night
/ zee how ring Ger me her cherub-lIke sprite,
And sad is her gaze as she chaunts the old lays
We once Gang together in erst happy days"
81 have yet one treasure of wodg beyond measure,
A fountain Of endless, delirious. pleasure.
A source Of rare joy, unmixed With alloy.
Whose potency nothing save death can destroy.
1t bushes all FEARS it dries up all tears,
And the Water of Life Is the name that II bears.
fee this shall be thine. this red ruby wine,
Possessed of potency pure and divine"
Then 10, and behold, chalice Of gold
Bestudded with jewels, Of workmanship old.
Appeared in my hand and was raised to my lip.
Fore'er be accused that long fatal sip.
TWAS luscious and tempting; still deeper drank,
Yet no lower the wine IN the gehmed chsiice sank,
But 1t sparkled and glittered and wooed me 10
drink,
As Oft pressed my lips to its e'er trimming
brink.
But lark once again came thGt low single knock.
1t recalled me to senses. l tur5ed to unlock.
According TO promise, the door OF the clock.
But 10 ii stood open-the goblin had gone,
Though not eeTihis errand OF ruin was done,
For the cup is still mine. and the red ruby wine
Still within it doth endlessly, fatally shine.