m 3 % >^ THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES Jap si #ikr grotto : POEMS TRANSLATED OR IMITATED FROM VARIOUS LANGUAGES. WITH SOME ORIGINAL PIECES. BY W. R. EVANS, AUTHOB OF "A CENTUEY OF FABLES IN VERSE," ETC. " Quod si me lyrieis vatibus inseres . . . ." Hoeace. LONDON: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, 40, SEYMOUR STREET, EUSTON SQUARE. 1861. LONDON : COX AND WYMAN, PBINTEES, GEEAT QUEEN STREET, XINCOLJi's-INN FIELDS. £13 1^ JL TO SIR WALTER C. TREVELYAN, BART. IX ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF FRANK AND READY KINDNESS EXPERIENCED AT HIS HANDS, %$x$ fittle Volume IS MOST GRATEFULLY AND RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR. 9-§ O'Q.'v *? PREFACE. By established usage a preface constitutes an indis- pensable, though often useless portion of a work. It is generally the most difficult part to write, and the most unsatisfactory when written. In it the author addresses his readers personally for a few moments to introduce his book, which might often better have introduced itself. But since a preface is required, and since I have a few things to say to my readers which I could not well say in any other manner, I will introduce my book as shortly as I can. The part of this volume entitled "Lays of other Lands" was commenced years ago — not as a principal occupation, but as a diversion amid severer studies, even the latter being pursued in the leisure hours which my occupation allowed. My first intention was to translate one or more pieces from every civilized language which I had studied — some twenty or more ; but the want of books, and of time to gain access tu PREFACE. books, has narrowed my performance, though not my aspirations. Circumstances, meanwhile, render it expedient that I should publish. To supply the poems that are wanting from my primary design, I print a few original attempts, which would otherwise never have been published. Whether I have done well in this, the reader must judge. Of a former work published by subscription, the majority of my Subscribers expressed their approval : should they do so of this, I should be more satisfied than they. Two small poems have been withdrawn from " A Century of Fables," and inserted in this volume. The translations I publish have at least one merit : they are genuine translations made direct from the originals, and not from the versions of others, or with the assistance of others. In all my literary under- takings I wish to stand or fall by myself; and therefore I send my copy unedited to be printed, and wish no one to read my proofs except for mis- prints. To obviate suspicion, I may inform the scholar that I pretend not to intimate knowledge of all the languages I have studied : their examination was undertaken merely for philological purposes, extend- ing scarcely beyond the grammar ; and if I have PREFACE. < become versed in a few, it lias been rather from constant acquaintance than from intent study. The grammatical accidence of a hundred languages might easily be acquired by one man : the whole vocabulary and all the idioms of two, hardly. Were these abso- lutely necessary for translation, I should never have thought of rendering poems from so many languages. Concerning the manner of publication : — No pub- lisher would purchase this volume of poems from a comparatively unknown author. Neither can I, a working man, pay for printing a book, or have it printed as a speculation, to find nearly half the gross proceeds absorbed necessarily in trade percentages, and the rest in advertising. I cannot afford to attain fame in this way, even had I ability to do so. I am no Columbus in search of an America : I am a mere coast vovaeer. Among my former Subscribers I have been as well supported as I could expect. But in appealing to the general public, or rather to a select part thereof, with this book as well as my last, I have found an amount of indifference which I did not believe to be possible. Were it not for the kindness of a few who have assisted me well, either by taking several copies of 8 PREFACE. my work or by recommending it to others, the amount for postage and other expenses would actually exceed the price of the copies ordered. To such friends I tender my unaffected gratitude : I cannot i>ress them to do more than they have done ; but I would willingly obtain more such helpers. For each copy of this work spontaneously ordered, a clear gain of two shillings at least would accrue — not an insig- nificant sum to one in my state of life. It might scarcely be believed that 300 letters were in one instance issued to obtain scarcely 20 replies] or that in another a hundred letters and prospectuses (costing nearly XI) brought two orders. Yet such are dis- heartening facts. Not being a mere trader, and having no gold to speculate with, I have lost only in what I have to lose — heart and nerve. I cannot trespass further upon the kindness of those who have been to me as fresh oases amid a barren desert of neglect ; and so I wish them, for the present, farewell, with heartfelt thanks. W. E. EVANS. London, Dec. 1860. CONTENTS. lap 0f Qt\tt J&ribs. The Author to his Book* (Spanish) Page 17 The MONABCH (French) 18 The Critics. — Riickert (German) 19 The Lay of a Brave Man.— Burger (German) 20 Beauty. — Anacreon (Greek) "y A Love-Song (French) 28 To Ohloe. — Horace (Latin) 30 The Apology.*— Metastasio (Italian) 31 Love and the Bee.* — Anacreon (Greek) 34 Love's Wiles. — Zappi (Italian) 35 The Choir-master of the Grove.— Heine (German).. .. 36 A Lover's Wishes.— Anacreon (Greek) 37 * The pieces to which an asterisk is appended, are imitations, more or less diverging from the originals. Some of these, indeed, preserve little more than the leading idea of the author, the wording being changed, either for the purpose of adapting them to English readers, or through the difficulty of close translation. In other, the asterisk marks the in sertdon of new lines or stanzas embodying subsidiary ideas. Q 10 CONTENTS. The Violet (Italian) Page 38 Things of Course. — Uhland (German) 39 Passage in a Gondola (Italian) . = 40 The Rose-tree. — Tiedge (German) 41 A Dialogue.* — Horace (Latin) 4 Love's Levee.* — De Rossi (Italian) 45 Love's Victory. — Anacreon (Greek) 47 The Hunter. — Uhland (German) 48 Song.*— Albo Crisso (Italian) 49 The Lyre.* — Anacreon (Greek) 50 To Ne^era. — Horace (Latin) 51 The Eeply. — Uhlaud (German) 52 The Fair Dreamer. — Thales Bernard (French) 53 The Castle by the Sea. — Uhland (German) 54 Eternal Sovereignty* (Persian) 56 Lay op a Poor Man. — Uhland (German) 57 To the Bandusian Fountain. — Horace (Latin) 59 Hyperbole. — Guarini (Italian) 60 The Voyage. — Biickert (German) 61 An Ecstasy. — Victor Hugo (French) 62 Singing.* — Langbein (German) 63 Time.* — De Rossi (Italian) 65 Between Earth and Heaven. — Riickert (German) .... 67 A Summer Night (French) 68 The Maiden's Lament.— Schiller (German) 69 The Rose and the Tomb. — Victor Hugo (French) .... 71 CONTENTS. 1 1 The Alpine Huntek. — Schiller (German) Page 72 Hope in God. — Victor Hugo {French) 75 Flowers. — K. H. Schwabe (German) 76 The Singer. — Uhland (German) 7S On Wealth.* — Anacreou (Greek) 79 The Arab to his Steed (French) 80 Flowers. — Schreiber (German) 82 To a Lady.— Uhland (German) 83 The Golden Mean. — Horace (Latin) Si Maxims (German) 85 The Eose's Beloved. — Heine (German) 86 A Reverie. — Saint-Beuve (French) 87 Enigma. — Schiller (German) 89 The Swallows. — BeVanger (French) 90 Night. — Heine (German) 92 The Linnet's Nest. — Berquin (French) 93 Down the River. — Riickert (German) 95 The Marseillaise Hymn (French) 96 The Silence of Sorrow. — Vosa (German) 98 The West. — Lamartine (French) 99 Romance. — Tiedge (German) 102 Maxims (German) 103 To the Violet.* — Constant Dubos (French) 104 May Song.* — Voss (German) 106 The Angel and the Child.* — Reboul (French) 108 Beauty (German) 110 1 2 CONTENTS. The Fair Prospect.* — Eiickert {German) Page 111 The Sleeping Sorrow.* — Riickert {German) 113 An Expostulation.* — {Portuguese) 115 The Burden. — Riickert {German) c 116 Before the Doors. — Riickert {German) 117 The Pilgrim. — Schiller {German) 118 Homer. — Lachambeaudie {French) , 120 Epigram {Greek) ' 121 The Boy beside the Brook. — Schiller {German) 122 Epigram {Greek) 123 The. Leap. — Arnault {French) 124 Song op the Captive.— Uhland {German) 125 Autumn.*— Charles Didier {French) 126 To the Storm-wind. — Riickert {German) 129 Virtue and Fortune {Italian) 130 The Rainbow.— Riickert {German) 131 To Leisure. — {French) 132 CONTENTS. 13 ©ripuil l0tuu. Buried Talents Page 137 To a Weeping Child 139 EPIGRiM 140 The Four Brothers 141 The Cemetery Gate 144 Modesty 146 'Tis Sad to See 147 Alliterative Lines 149 The Dead Babes of Spitalfields 151 To my friend T. L. A 154 A Child's Petition 155 Slander 158 Wish and Will 159 The Mind of Man 161 The Pioneers 162 The Frost 164 Sweets and Bitters 165 Pain 167 To my Tobacco-jar 170 To the Same 172 Acrostic 1 75 14 CONTENTS. A Farewell Page 176 The Child of Song 1 78 The Lark in the Cage 179 Heavenward 181 Life 182 To a Butterfly 1S1 Bondage 1S7 Freedom 1S8 The Fallen Star 189 Something Desperate 191 The Life of Labour 193 To Hope 105 A Dream 196 The Night-hours 198 Clouds at Even 200 fans of #%r f sratts. t %uibax ia Iris ftooh. AFTER THE SPANISH. Aye on thy fruitless purpose beut, To plough the foaming waves intent, With thy poor pilot dooni'd to bear The storm-fiend's raging, in despair. Now Neptune gentle aspect feigns, To tempt thee to his wild domains ; But why wilt thou disdain repose, To brave each fickle breeze that blows'? My boat, content thee, I implore ! By zephyrs wafted round the shore, Sail in some peaceful little bay ; For if 'neath Neptune's horrid sway Huge vessels quail before the storm, What danger waits thy fragile form ! B 18 LAYS OF OTHER LANDS. FROM THE FRENCH. Man, to be happy, should a monarch be : lofty Wisdom, blest be thy decree ! To make me happy is thy power display'd ; Me of myself a monarch thou hast made. My palace is a garret, low and small ; But early beams of sunrise gild its wall : Books, drawings, pencils, papers, pens, are spread Confusedly on tables, chairs, and bed. 'Tis here I sleep, read, study, sing, and grieve, Or meditate on what I would achieve. Myself alone applauding my employ, 1 sow the harvest I would fain enjoy. Here ever I return, and richly fraught, To store the booty in long wanderings sought, — Whether in pleasant converse I have stroll'd With poet or philosopher of old, Or journey'd with a sage of later times O'er sea and land, 'mid many foreign climes. THE CRITICS. 19 I gather honey from vast flowery fields : They all invite, and every blossom yields To me some delicate and precious spoil, And thus I store my hive by patient toil. Zln Critics. 1'ROM THE GERMAN OF RUCKERT. The flood of verse throws out upon the strand Its many-colour'd stones with shells and sand, While here and there true pearls among them lie. The Critics on the margin where they're thrown, Like children, picking up the pebbles, cry : " Another stone, another precious stone ! " And pass the genuine pearls unheeded by. B -J 20 LAYS OF OTHER LANDS. &lxe Jpag of e grata Ulan. FROM THE GERMAN OF BURGER. Oh, nobly sounds the brave man's lay, Like organ-tones or chime of bells : His tribute song, not gold, must pay, Within whose soul high valour dwells. I thank thee, Heaven, that I can raise My voice to sing a brave man's praise ! From Southern seas the Thaw-wind sped, Blew damp and chill o'er Italy j And fast the clouds before it fled, As sheep before the wild wolf flee. It swept the land, and burst the frost On lakes and rivers as it cross'd. In myriad torrents molten snow Adown the mountains 'gan to roll ; A lake o'erspread the vale below, And high the river rose and swoll. THE LAY OF A BRAVE MAN. 21 The waves dash'd on with foamy crest, And ice-blocks on each other press'd. On massive piers and arches good, And stoutly built of granite all, A bridge across the river stood, And midway rose a dwelling small. Here dwelt the tollman, with child and wife : O tollman, tollman, flee for life ! With shock on shock the dwelling rang ; Loud howl'd the storm and waves without. Up to the roof the tollman sprang, And gazed into the tumult out. " O piteous Heaven, thy pity show ! — Lost ! lost ! no hope of help I know." With blow on blow, from shore to shore The ice-blocks charged in dread array ; From either bank the mad stream tore The piers and arches right away. The trembling tollman, with wife and child, Howl'd louder than the tempest wild. 22 LAYS OF OTHER LANDS. With crash on crash at either end, The ice-blocks as in fury roll'd : Pier after pier, as they descend, Is riven ruin'd from its hold. To midway hastes the overthrow : O piteous Heaven, now pity show ! High on the distant land a crowd Of peasants stand, and gaze dismay'd : They wring their hands, and ciy aloud ; But not one dares to render aid. The frantic tollman, with wife and child, For help outhowls the tempest wild. When soundest thou, O brave man's lay. Like organ-tones, or chime of bells ? Where is the man, my brave song, say, Within whose soul high valour dwells 1 To midway hastes the overthrow : O brave man, now thy valour show ! Up rides a Count full gallop there, A noble Count of ancient line. THE LAY OF A BRAVE MAN. 23 What waves the Count high in the air 1 ? An ample purse distent with coin. " Two hundred pistoles are the prize For him who saves yon folk !" he cries. Who is the brave man 1 Is it he ? Say on, say on, my noble song ! " Brave man and bold the Count may be, But still a braver comes ere long." Quick, brave man, and thy valour show : To midway hastes the overthrow. And ever higher swells the flood, And ever louder shrieks the blast, And ever chiller grows the blood ; O brave man, come ere all is past ! Pier after pier bursts and descends, While all the bridge cracks, sways, and bends. "Holloa, holloa! who wins the prize?" Exclaims the Count, and chinks the gold. All hear the offer — none replies : 'Mid thousands wealth makes none so bold. LAYS OF OTHER LANDS. In vain the tollman, with wife and child. For help outhowls the tempest wild. But see, a Peasant through the press, With staff in hand, approaches now, With rude smock-frock and simple dress, But lofty mien and noble brow. He hears the Count, the promise made, And sees the need for instant aid. Himself in God's name has he cast Into a boat upon the spot, 'Spite billows, ice, and stormy blast ; And bravely gains the tollman's cot. But, oh ! the boat is now too small In one attempt to rescue all ! And thrice he tempts the furious tide, 'Spite billows, ice, and stormy blast ; And thrice he gains the cottage-side, And brings all safe to land at last. Then scarcely has he reach'd the shore, When the doom'd toll-house topples o'er. THE LAY OP A BRAVE MAN. 25 Who is the brave man, tell me, now? Say on, say on, my noble lay ! The Peasant ventured life, I trow; But was it for the golden pay? Had not the Count his service bought, Mayhap the Peasant had done nought. " Here," cried the Count, " the prize is won ! Come, valiant friend, take thy reward." Say now, was that not bravely done? A noble heart had that good lord ! Yes ; but a nobler heart and higher Beat 'neath the Peasant's rude attire. " Life was not given to be sold ; I've wealth enow, though it be small ; Then let the tollman have the gold, For he to-day hath lost his all." Thus spake the man in earnest tone ; Then turn'd his back, and left, unknown. Was it an angel from the sky, Or but a simple son of earth, 26 LAYS OF OTHER LANDS. That taught us in one act how nigh Man may approach angelic worth 1 It was a man, who scorn'd a bribe That might have vex'd God's angel-scribe. Oh, nobly sounds the brave man's lay, Like organ-tones or chime of bells : His tribute song, not gold, must pay, Within whose soul high valour dwells. I thank thee, Heaven, that I can raise My voice to sing a brave man's praise. LAYS OF OTHER LANDS. 27 FROM THE GREEK OF ANACREON. Nature gave sharp horns to cattle, And to horses hoofs for battle ; Rapid feet to hares for flying ; Teeth to lions, all defying ; Fins to fish to roam the ocean ; Wings to birds for airy motion ; Mind to man his deeds to measure : But still woman lack'd a treasure ; — What remain'd 1 A precious dower Nature grants in Beauty's power ; Beauty that as armour shieldeth, That as weapon woman wieldeth ; Beauty that, o'er steel prevailing, Sees the fiery warrior quailing ! 28 LAYS OF OTHER LANDS. FROM THE FRENCH. May is crown' cl with fewer roses, Summer fewer fruits discloses, Autumn fewer ears of corn, Than the songs, thy charms adoring, That my lips and lyre are pouring, Of thy smiles and glances born. And my bosom's secret yearning Rises up in words all burning, Kindled by thy gentle name ; Like that fish whose tears o'erflowing Into precious pearls are growing, To adorn a sultan's fame ; — Like that worm that ever windeth, From the verdant food it findeth, Shining threads of golden hue. A LOVE-SONG. 29 Come, beloved, for thy pleasure Weaves my muse a priceless treasure Of a silk for ever new. Poesy's pure pearls, e'er springing From my bosom, she is stringing In a necklace : it is thine ; Round thy fair neck let me throw it, For the offering of a poet Findeth there its fittest shrine. 30 LAYS OF OTHER LAXDS. C0 Cirfoe. PROM THE LATIN OF HORACE. You shun me like a timid fawn, my Chloe dear, That seeks its mother o'er some pathless mountain- ground, And wanders on in foolish fear Of every breeze and bush around. For should the spring-clad branches rustle in the breeze, Or haply a green lizard in the thicket start, She trembles in her sinking knees, And terror strikes her beating heart. Not like a savage tiger hungering for prey, Or fierce Getulian lion, would I injure thee : Then from thy mother come away ; Thou'rt old enough my love to be. LAYS OF OTHER LANDS. 31 AFTER THE ITALIAN OP METASTASIO. Forgive me, Chlore ; I know not how I could have caused that frowning brow- That cruel wrath. O lovely one, Say, I beseech, what have I done 1 I said I loved thee, it is true, — That fairer maid I never knew ; And is that really deem'd to be So terrible a crime by thee 1 If loving thee be guilt, then who Can see thee and offend not too? Find only one, my lovely Chlore, Who seeing thee will not adore, — Addressing thee will heave no sigh, — Then turn on me that flashing eye. But 'mid so many who've offended thee, Why doom to penance only me ? If nature made thee so divine, O cruel, is it fault of mine? 32 LAYS OP OTHER LANDS. Be pacified, I prithee, then, And make thee lovable again. Thou would st be shock'd if thou couldst see How angry looks disfigure thee. Thou dost not think I tell thee true 1 Then in this brook thine image view ; Regard it well, and then declare If I deceive thee, maiden fair. . . Dost recognize those features now ? That flashing eye, that wrinkled brow, That air of fierceness on thy face, Have they not hidden half thy grace 1 But if thou must retaliate, List while a better mode I state : — If telling thee I love thee so, And thou'rt the fairest maid I know, Be such an insult — then, I pray, Insult me in the selfsame way : I promise thee to pardon each Endearing word and loving speech. . . But thou art smiling — ah ! that smile, That doth my heart from me beguile ! Behold, reflected in the brook, The beauty of a smiling look. THE APOLOGY. 33 If mirth, can make thy face so fair, Then think what pity would do there ! Thy smile is passing sweet, I grant ; Thy pity would indeed enchant. Let once again thy face appear Reflected in that water clear — Once more thy mirror'd features view, While pity lends them graces new. A thousand charms before unseen Will sit upon thy piteous mien. . . . Now thou are perfect, and thine eyes Beam like an angel's from the skies. Oh, never more let anger shroud Such beauties 'neath a darksome cloud ! 34 LAYS OF OTHER LANDS. I^obe atttr tin §**. AFTER THE GREEK OF ANACREON. While culling roses, Love, unwitting, Pluck'd one whereon a bee was sitting. The spiteful insect, thus excited, In vengeful humour straight alighted Upon his hand, and stung him badly. Love scream'd, and, weeping sadly, Flew to the fair-hair'd Venus, crying : " O mother, I am surely dying — I know I never can recover ! A poisonous little winged rover, Men call a bee, flew from the roses, And stung me, as I gather'd posies." — " Nay, child, 'twill soon be well," said Venus ; " But let me ask you, Love, between us, If this bee-sting can cause such smarting, How much the shafts you're ever darting !" LAYS OF OTHER LANDS. 35 fofw's Miles. FROM THE ITALIAN OF ZAPPI. Where my beloved sits, Love sits beside; Where'er she wanders, Love still follows near : In ber bis speecb, bis laugh, his sighs I hear; In ber be lives, with her to charm allied. By Love her smiles, her songs, are all supplied; And when she weepeth, Love in every tear Is weeping too ; and so doth Love appear Wroth in her anger, haughty in her pride. If in the dance she peradventure errs, A prompter's aid doth Love at once impart, As when a blossom Zephyr softly stirs. Love I behold in her in every part, — Love in her hair, her eyes, those lips of hers ; — Love everywhere I see, save in her heart. c 2 36 LAYS OF OTHER LANDS. %\t Cfmirmasier of iln <&vobt. FROM THE GERMAN OF HEINE. Harmony soundeth in every tree, And sweet singing wherever I rove : Who is it over the concert pi*esides Of the jubilant choir in the grove? Is it the plover appearing profound, And nodding importantly there 1 Is it that pedant whose "cuckoo" resounds In such regular time through the air ? Is it the grave-looking stork, whose long leg Is at intervals striking tbe ground, Seeming as if he directed them all Who are making such music around 1 No ; it is here in my own heart he sits, Who presides o'er the choir in the grove : There I can feel he is beating the time, And I know that his name must be Love. LAYS OF OTHER LANDS. 37 % fixer's UMm. FROM THE GREEK OF ANACREON". To stoue by sudden horror Sad Niobe was changed ; Through ether as a swallow Pandion's daughter ran seel. But I would be a mirror, If thou wouldst gaze on me ; Or willingly a garment, If only worn by thee. I would be turn'd to water, To lave a face so fair ; Or to the oil, sweet maiden, That glistens on thy hair : To ribbon for thy bosom, To pearl on thy neck bound, Or even to a sandal To bear thee off the ground. 38 LAYS OF OTHER LANDS. fain Bxoht. FROM THE ITALIAN. Permit me from thy wreathy band To pluck one flower alone ; My life is but a bleak, bare land, Where flower hath never grown. Or if by chance one should arise, 'Tis poison'd soon by woe ; Yet round thy laughter-moisten'd eyes How plenteously they grow. Should sorrow ever visit thee, — And whom doth sorrow spare? — My heart will beat in sympathy ; Thy grief will enter there. In striving then to comfort thine, Will I my woe forget ; And in thy fading wreath entwine A votive violet. LAYS OF OTHER LANDS. 39 ^fratjgfs of Course. FEOM THE GERMAN OF UHLAND. At evening roaming forth, along The meadow-path I stray ; While she looks from her summer-house, That stands hard by the way. We never made appointment yet, But as a thing of course have met. I know not how it came to pass, — Oft have I kiss'd her though : I ask her not, she says not " Yes " — But then she ne'er says "No." When lips to lips are fondly press'd, We think it good, and let them rest. The Zephyr toyeth with the rose, Its love for granted takes ; The rose imbibes the crystal dew, And no petition makes : I love her, and she loveth me ; But neither whispers, " I love thee." 40 LAYS OF OTHER LANDS. FROM THE ITALIAN. Since Evening now hath cast her dusky veil Around the placid lake, repelling sight, — Brown gondola, securely wilt thou sail Amid the silence of the frieudly night. Where mirror'd moonbeams mark a silvery way, The grotto-dwelling nymphs thy form escort ; And, scatter'd by thine oar, the glittering spray In flowery jets seems dancing round in sport. With me comes timidly a fairy maid, Whose eyes, yet darker than the sky above, Shed softer light than Cynthia e'er display'd — A light replete with tenderness and love. Ah ! while those gentle rays such bliss inspire, I would not envy Jove his heavenly fire. LAYS OP OTHER LANDS. 41 FROM THE GERMAN OP TIEDGE. Oh, would that my lover a rose-tree might be ! I -would bring him in hither to flourish by me, — 'Neath my window would plant him in rich garden- mould, Where him I could ever and ever behold. The softest of breezes should blow on each bloom, And waft to my senses delicious perfume : That fragrance I'd drink when the moon shone at night ; Till it ravish'd my innermost soul with delight. His form every morning and evening I'd view, And his leaves with the coolest of water bedew ; While his ruby lips softly should whisper to me : " Thou lovest me truly, — I truly love thee ! " I would say, when the longing bees near to him flew : "My beloved one's honey for me alone grew; 42 LAYS OP OTHER LANDS. Then, away to the meadows with flowers o'ergrown, And leave ye that dear one to me for my own ! " The zephyrs would loiter with him on their way, To toy and coquet, and allure him to play, And in soft-spoken murmurs would fondly declare : " We love him as thou dost — we love what is fair." Now fragrant and fresh from that beautiful tree, A crimson-hued leaflet would flutter to me : My cheek it would kiss, and leave a flush there, You might with the rose's own blossoms compare. When my mother should say : " O daughter of mine, Like the blush of the morn is that colour of thine !" "'Twas done by the rose, mother," — thus I would speak ;— " The rose by the window has breathed on my cheek." LAYS OF OTHER LANDS. 43 %, Qralague. AFTER THE LATIN OP HOKACE.* Horace. While I still was beloved by thee, And no happier man might in affection cling Round that lily-pale neck of thine, Then I flourish'd in joy more than the Persian king. Lydia. While none yet was preferr'd to me, And ere Chloe in thee lighted a rival flame, Then I, Lydia, enjoy 'd renown, Then I flourish'd in love more than the proudest dame. * This poem is inserted as an attempt to render Horace in his own metre, considering accent as equivalent to the ictus metricus ; thus : — While I | still was beldved || by thee, A'nd no ] happier nmn || might in affe'c|tion cling Round that | lily-pale ne"ck || of thine, Then I | flourish 'd in joy || m<5re than the Pe"r|sian king. 44 LAYS OF OTHER LANDS. Horace. Cretan Chloe commands me now, Skill'd in musical tones, cunning upon the lyre ; And I, were it to save her life, Now would, free from alarm, nay with content, expire. Lydia. Calais, fair son of Ornithus, Now hath lighted in me flame from his am'rous fire ; And I, were it to save his life, Now would, void of regret, williugly twice expire. Horace. But should love as of old return, Weld all flaws in the chain binding our hearts of yore ; Gold-hair'd Chloe should I discard, Hold for Lydia expell'd freely the open door ? Lydia. Though he's fair as a star and true ; Thou e'en light as cork drifting upon the sea, Prone to rage as the fickle waves ; Yet with thee would I live — yea, and would die with thee ! LAYS OF OTHEK LANDS. 45 Seta's Iftbtt. AFTER THE ITALIAN OF DE BOSSI. Love in his palace held, one day, A levee in the royal way. To regulate the ingress stood Caprice, admitting as he would His own acquaintance to the throne, To whom undue regard was shown O'er rank or merit amid those Unknown, or only known as foes. Laughter and Mirth, admitted first, With Love some little time conversed ; Next enter'd Youth, whose visit grew Into a lengthen'd interview; Then Beauty came in simple dress, And led the Graces through the press. Next peevish Jealousy was heard, And then the deity conferr'd Awhile with Folly, granting each An unaccustom'd length of speech ; 46 LAYS OF OTHER LANDS. For numerous affairs of weight To either he would delegate. With baleful eye and wrinkled brow Came Treachery to audience now ; But on her exit, one might trace A smile of triumph on her face. Next came Disdain, whom some report "Was ne'er a favourite at court ; Although his glance, on leaving, told His welcome there had not beeu cold. Then Constancy admittance gain'd, With Innocence, her dearest friend ; But as they issued, both were seen With downcast eye and troubled mien. Thus enter'd all the courtier throng, Save Reason, who had waited long, But whom Caprice, from ancient spite, Rejoiced at every tarn to slight. Hence he had kept her there without, Until the god, quite wearied out Witli the protracted audience, rose To seek refreshment and repose. Then said the usher with sly glee : " Your godship Reason yet would see." love's victory. 47 Love heard the name, and, with a yawn, Replied : " 'Tis time I had withdrawn : I really can no longer stay ; So let her come some other day." But she, by this repulse offended, Love's court has never since attended. FROM THE GREEK OP ANACREON. The Theban strife let bards rehearse, Or Trojan war, in martial verse : I'll sing of battles with the rest, And chant the capture of my breast. No horseman came to vanquish me, Nor foot by land, nor ship by sea : Far different foe was mine, who threw Sharp darts from merry eyes of blue. 48 LAYS OP OTHER LANDS. FROM THE GERMAN OF UHLAND. In chasing a roe amid meadow and wood As a hunter the morn was beguiling, Like a rose o'er the hedge of a garden he spied Where a maiden stood gazing and smiling. Oh, what has befallen the noble steed? Is it hurt, that it suddenly halteth? And what has befallen the hunter so gay, That at once from the saddle he vaulteth 1 The roe in its terror still hurries away Over hill and through valley so fleetly : — Oh, rest thee, thou timid one! what dost thou fear? Thou'rt forgot by the hunter completely. LAYS OF OTHER LANDS. 49 j?0n