CASABIANCA.

THE boy stood on the burning deck,
Whence all but he had fled;

The flame that lit the battle's wreck,
Shone round him o'er the dead.

Yet beautiful and bright he stood,
As born to rule the storm;
A creature of heroic blood,

A proud though child-like form.

The flames roll'd on-he would not go,
Without his father's word;
That father, faint in death below,
His voice no longer heard.

He call'd aloud :-" Say, father, say
If yet my task is done?"

He knew not that the chieftain lay

Unconscious of his son.

Speak, father!" once again he cried, "If I may yet be gone!

And," but the booming shots replied,

And fast the flames roll'd on.

182

NARRATIVE AND LEGENDARY POEMS.

Upon his brow he felt their breath,

And in his waving hair,

And look'd from that lone post of death,

In still yet brave despair.

And shouted but once more aloud,

“My father! must I stay?”

While o'er him fast, through sail and shroud,
The wreathing fires made way.

They wrapp'd the ship in splendour wild,

They caught the flag on high,

And stream'd above the gallant child,

Like banners in the sky.

There came a burst of thunder-sound,--
The boy,—oh where was he?

Ask of the winds, that far around
With fragments strew'd the sea!

With mast, and helm, and pennon fair,
That well had borne their part,—
But the noblest thing which perish'd there,
Was that young and faithful heart!

MRS. HEMANS.

LYRICAL POEMS.

LYRICAL POEMS.

"But hail, ye mighty masters of the lay,
Nature's true sons, the friends of man and truth!
Whose songs, sublimely sweet, serenely gay,
Amused my childhood and informed my youth.

O let your spirit still my bosom soothe,

Inspire my dreams, and my wild wanderings guide!
Your voice each rugged path of life can smoothe;
For well I know wherever
ye reside
There harmony, and peace, and innocence abide."

BEATTIE'S MINSTREL.

A TEAR.

OH! that the chemist's magic art

Could crystallize this sacred treasure!
Long should it glitter near my heart,
A secret source of pensive pleasure.

The little brilliant, ere it fell,

Its lustre caught from Chloe's eye; Then, trembling, left its coral cell— The spring of sensibility!