As sets the sun upon the wave,
At twilight, when the day is done,
Casting a glory round his grave,
That lingers, though his race be run;--
A glory, that attracts the gaze
Of many a bright, uplifted eye,
Leading the spirit, where his rays
Blend with the quiet, azure sky,
Till evening's star, with diamond beam,
Mirrors his last effulgent gleam;--
So I would now, upon this page,
At parting, _this_ memorial leave,
O'er which, perhaps, in after age,
Some pensive eye may kindly grieve,
And mourn the loss of him, who though
His life was all unknown to fame,
Left still behind a feeble glow,
Hallowing, in friendship's sky, his name,--
A light, that, like a star, will beam,
Long, long, he trusts, in memory's dream!
* * * * *
And now my wish for happiness
To thee, I mingle with mine own,--
A wish--a _prayer_, that heaven may bless,
And keep thee, kind and gentle one,
Free from all sorrow, care and strife,--
A being far too pure and bright
To wander 'mid the storms of life,
That dim affection's vestal light,--
A seraph form'd like those above,
For only joy, and peace, and love!
I need not tell thee, time can ne'er
Thy name from memory's tablet blot,
For thou art to my heart too dear,
To wrong its worship, by the thought;
No! though the world may sorrow bring,
And bear thee far away from me,
It from remembrance ne'er can wring
The thoughts, that aye will turn to thee,
As Chaldea's maiden to the star,
She worships in its sphere afar!