And the return; and then clear, low and calm, And thus the Legend ended. It may be That once seemed possible? Did we not hear And just within our reach? It was. And yet And now live idle in a vague regret. No star is ever lost we once have seen, We always may be what we might have been. Since Good, though only thought, has life and breath, God's life can always be redeemed from death; And evil, in its nature, is decay, And any hour can blot it all away; The hopes that lost in some far distance seem, ENVY. E was the first always: Fortune I fought for years; with no effort He conquered the place : We ran; my feet were all bleeding, ' Spite of his many successes, When we erred, they gave him pity, But me-only shame. My home was still in the shadow, His lay in the sun : I longed in vain: what he asked for C Once I staked all my heart's treasure, We played and he won. Yes; and just now I have seen him, Cold, smiling, and blest, Laid in his coffin. God help me! While he is at rest, I am cursed still to live :-even Death loved him the best. OVER THE MOUNTAIN. IKE dreary prison walls The stern grey mountains rise, Until their topmost crags Touch the far gloomy skies: One steep and narrow path Winds up the mountain's crest, And from our valley leads Out to the golden West. I dwell here in content, And yet, my eyes grow dim, Upon that mountain pass, That leads or so it seems To some far happy land, Known in a world of dreams. |