around his head! All was still. The moon hung not out her lamp, and the stars faintly glimmered in the summer sky; the breath of night slept among the leaves of the forest; the bosom of the lofty hill drank in the silent dew, while on his majestic brow the voice of angels is heard, and stringed sounds ride upon the wings of night. The sorrowful pair lift up their heads, hovering angels are around them, voices of comfort are heard over the Couch of Death, and the youth breathes out his soul with joy into eternity.

WHO

CONTEMPLATION.

HO is this, that with unerring step dares tempt the wilds, where only Nature's foot hath trod? 'Tis Contemplation, daughter of the grey Morning! Majestical she steppeth, and with her pure quill on every flower writeth Wisdom's name now lowly bending, whispers in mine ear, "O man, how great, how little thou! O man, slave "of each moment, lord of eternity! seest thou "where Mirth sits on the painted cheek? doth it "not seem ashamed of such a place, and grow im"moderate to brave it out? O what an humble Those who want

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garb true Joy puts on!

Happiness must stoop to find it; it is a flower

that grows in every vale. Vain foolish man,

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"that roams on lofty rocks, where, 'cause his garments are swoln with wind, he fancies he is "grown into a giant! Lo, then, Humility, take it, “and wear it in thine heart; lord of thyself, thou “then art lord of all. Clamour brawls along the streets, and destruction hovers in the city's smoke; “but on these plains, and in these silent woods, true "joys descend: here build thy nest; here fix thy "staff; delights blossom around; numberless beau"ties blow; the green grass springs in joy, and the “nimble air kisses the leaves; the brook stretches "its arms along the velvet meadow, its silver in"habitants sport and play. The youthful sun joys “like a hunter roused to the chase ; he rushes up the 'sky, and lays hold on the immortal coursers of "day; the sky glitters with the jingling trappings! "Like a triumph, season follows season, while the “airy music fills the world with joyful sounds." I answered, "Heavenly goddess! I am wrapped “in mortality, my flesh is a prison, my bones the "bars of death, Misery builds over our cottage "roofs, and Discontent runs like a brook. Even "in childhood, sorrow slept with me in my cradle ; "he followed me up and down in the house when "I grew up; he was my school-fellow: thus he "was in my steps and in my play, till he became "to me as my brother. I walked through dreary "places with him, and in church-yards; and oft I "found myself sitting by Sorrow on a tomb-stone!"

SAMSON.

SA

AMSON, the strongest of the children of men, I sing; how he was foiled by woman's arts, by a false wife brought to the gates of death! O Truth, that shinest with propitious beams, turning our earthly night to heavenly day, from presence of the Almighty Father! thou visitest our darkling world with blessed feet, bringing good news of Sin and Death destroyed! O white-robed Angel, guide my timorous hand to write as on a lofty rock with iron pen the words of truth, that all who pass may read. Now Night, noon-tide of damned spirits, over the silent earth spreads her pavilion, while in dark council sat Philistia's lords; and where strength failed, black thoughts in ambush lay. Their helmed youth and aged warriors in dust together lie, and Desolation spreads his wings over the land of Palestine: from side to side the land groans, her prowess lost, and seeks to hide her bruised head under the mists of night, breeding dark plots. For Dalila's fair arts have long been tried in vain; in vain she wept in many a treacherous tear. "Go on, fair traitress; do thy "guileful work; ere once again the changing

moon her circuit hath performed, thou shalt over"come, and conquer him by force unconquerable, "and wrest his secret from him. Call thine alluring

"arts and honest-seeming brow, the holy kiss of "love and the transparent tear; put on fair linen, "that with the lily vies, purple and silver; neglect "thy hair, to seem more lovely in thy loose attire; "put on thy country's pride, deceit; and eyes of "love decked in mild sorrow, and sell thy lord for "gold."-For now, upon her sumptuous couch reclined, in gorgeous pride, she still entreats, and still she grasps his vigorous knees with her fair arms. "Thou lovest me not! thou'rt war, thou "art not love! O foolish Dalila! O weak woman! "it is death clothed in flesh thou lovest, and thou "hast been encircled in his arms! Alas, my lord, "what am I calling thee? Thou art my God! "To thee I pour my tears for sacrifice morning "and evening: my days are covered with sorrow! "shut up, darkened: by night I am deceived! "Who says that thou wast born of mortal kind? "Destruction was thy father, a lioness suckled

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thee, thy young hands tore human limbs, and

gorged human flesh! Come hither, Death; art "thou not Samson's servant? 'Tis Dalila that "calls; thy master's wife; no, stay, and let thy "master do the deed: one blow of that strong "arm would ease my pain; then I should lay at "quiet and have rest. Pity forsook thee at thy "birth! O Dagon furious, and all ye gods of

Palestine, withdraw your hand! I am but a "weak woman. Alas, I am wedded to your

"enemy! I will go mad, and tear my crisped "hair; I'll run about, and pierce the ears o' th' "gods! O Samson, hold me not; thou lovest me not! Look not upon me with those deathful eyes! Thou wouldst my death, and death "approaches fast."-Thus, in false tears, she bathed his feet, and thus she day by day oppressed his soul he seemed a mountain, his brow among the clouds; she seemed a silver stream, his feet embracing. Dark thoughts rolled to and fro in his mind, like thunder-clouds troubling the sky; his visage was troubled; his soul was distressed. "Though I should tell her all my heart, what can "I fear? Though I should tell this secret of my "birth, the utmost may be warded off as well when "told as now." She saw him moved, and thus resumes her wiles: "Samson, I'm thine; do with

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me what thou wilt; my friends are enemies; my "life is death; I am a traitor to my nation, and 'despised; my joy is given into the hands of him "who hates me, using deceit to the wife of his "bosom. Thrice hast thou mocked me and grieved "my soul. Didst thou not tell me with green "withs to bind thy nervous arms, and after that, "when I had found thy falsehood, with new ropes "to bind thee fast? I knew thou didst but mock (6 me. Alas, when in thy sleep I bound thee with "them to try thy truth, I cried, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson! Then did Suspicion wake