against these disadvantages, and he has accordingly produced a work remarkable for freshness and originality. His skill in the expression of strong and lively feeling, has found ample scope for exercise; and the pictures he has drawn of the finer sensibilities of our nature, come home to the bosom in a stirring tone, and with impressive power. The poem has throughout, a strain of touching pathos, and is executed in its details with great softness of coloring. After what we have said of Mr Dana's poetry, we need hardly add that he ranks very high in our estimation. He has more distinct, peculiar character, than most, perhaps any other, of our poets. What he has already done, may be said to have effected much towards giving an independence to the literature of the country. We think a pen like his, should not be idle. THE BUCCANEER. THE island lies nine leagues away. Of craggy rock and sandy bay, No sound but ocean's roar, Save, where the bold, wild sea-bird makes her home But when the light winds lie at rest, The black duck, with her glossy breast, How beautiful! no ripples break the reach, And silvery waves go noiselsss up the beach. And inland rests the green, warm dell; Mingling its sounds with bleatings of the flocks, Nor holy bell, nor pastoral bleat Rich goods lay on the sand, and murder'd men; But calm, low voices, words of grace, Each motion's gentle; all is kindly done- Twelve years are gone since Matthew Lee A dark, low, brawny man was he- Beneath his thickset brows a sharp light broke Cruel of heart, and strong of arm, Yet like a dog could fawn, if need there were ; Amidst the uproar of the storm, And by the lightning's sharp, red glare, Whose corpse at morn is floating in the sedge? "Nay, ask him yonder; let him tell, Think ye the lashing waves will spare or feel! He wiped his axe; and turning round, VOL. III. 6 "The hemp is saved-the man is drown'd. Or give him christian burial on the strand? Lee's waste was greater than his gain. "I'll try the merchant's trade," he thought. "The trouble's less to kill, than feign; Things sweeter robb'd than bought. But, yet, to circumvent them at their arts!" Mann'd, and his spoils and cargo-Lee departs. "T is fearful, on the broad-back'd waves, Yet 'midst this solemn world what deeds are done! And wanton talk and laughter heard, Pray ye, when ye rejoice! "Leave prayers to priests," cries Lee: "I'm ruler here! These fellows know full well whom they 're to fear!" The ship works hard; the seas run high; A wild and shifting light. "Hard at the pumps !-The leak is gaining fast!Lighten the ship!-The devil rode that blast! Ocean has swallow'd for its food Spoils thou didst gain in murderous glee; Crime fits for crime. And no repentant tear The sea has like a plaything toss'd RICHARD H. DANA. Torn spars and sail,-her cargo in the deep- Within a Spanish port she rides. Angry and sour'd, Lee walks her deck. Ill luck in change!-Ho! cheer ye up, my men! A sound is in the Pyrenees! On field and vineyard thick and red it stood. And wrath and terror shake the land; Awake ye, Merlin! Hear the shout from Spain! The spell is broke !—Arthur is come again !—- Too late for thee, thou young, fair bride; Whom thou didst lull with fondly murm 'd sound- He fell for Spain--her Spain no more; And wait amidst her sorrows till the day, Lee feign'd him grieved, and bow'd him low. He meekly, smoothly said. With wealth and servants she is soon aboard, And that white steed she rode beside her lord. The sun goes down upon the sea; My home, how like a tomb! O! blow, ye flowers of Spain, above his head.Ye will not blow o'er me when I am dead." And now the stars are burning bright; Ye're many, waves, yet lonely seems your flow, Sleep, sleep, thou sad one, on the sea! He is not near, to hush thee, or to save. The moon comes up-the night goes on. Stands that dark, thoughtful man alone? Bethink thee of her youth and sorrows, Lee: When told the hardships thou hadst borne, He looks out on the sea that sleeps in light, He sleeps; but dreams of massy gold, Her breath comes deathly cold upon his cheek; He wakes; but no relentings wake |