Literature, art and song; Moore's melodies and American poems - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1872 edition. Excerpt: ...hour,--As if the whole bright scenery there Were lighted by a Grecian sky, And I then breath'd the blissful air That late had thrill'd to Sappho's sigh. Thus, waking, dreamt I,--and when Sleep Came o'er my sense, the dream went on; Nor, through her curtain dim and deep, Hath ever lovelier vision shone. I thought that, all enrapt, I stray'd Through that serene, luxurious shade," Where Epicurus taught the Loves To polish virtue's native brightness,--As pearls, we're told, that fondling doves Have play'd with, wear a smoother whiteness.52 'Twas one of those delicious nights So common in the climes of Greece, When day withdraws but half its lights, And all is moonshine, balm, and peace. And thou wert there, my own belov'd, And by thy side I fondly rov'd Through many a temple's reverend gloom, And many a bower's seductive bloom, Where Beauty learn'd what Wisdom taught, And sages sigh'd and lovers thought;,c Where schoolmen conn'd no maxims stern, But all was form'd to soothe or move, To make the dullest love to learn, To make the coldest learn to love. And now the fairy pathway seem'd To lead us through enchanted ground, Where all that bard has ever dream'd Of love or luxury bloom'd around. 0, 'twas a bright, bewildering scene, Along the alley's deepening green Soft lamps, that bung like burning flowers, 'And scented and illum'd the bowers, 'Seem'd, as to him, who darkling roves 'Amid the lone Hercynian groves, Appear those countless birds of light, That sparkle in the leaves at night, And from their wings diffuse a ray Along the traveller's weary way. 'T was light of that mysterious kind, Through which the soul perchance may roam, When it has left this world behind, And gone to seek its heavenly home. And, Nea, thou wert by my side, Through all...