In splendour of an Eastern night,
Where Luna softly smiles,
I've sailed along the shimmering tide
Which laves the Classic Isles.
Or led the dance in courtly hall,
'Mid gayest of the throng;
Or listed to rare _artistes_ pour
Their witchery of song.
And 'yond the murky Tiber's wave
Have strolled 'neath Pincian shade;
As sunlight streamed o'er Saxon fair,
Or dark-eyed Roman maid.
In dreamland oft our Highland hills
Forth from the shadows spring,
All radiant in their purple bloom;
Meet haunts of forest king.
And up the green-arched avenue,
And o'er the daisied lawn
Troop faces bright, and hearts as light
As step of mountain fawn.
And artless voices drown in mirth
The sighing of the breeze;--
But memory opes, the vision fades;
Wail not _their_ fate; Oh Seas!
Though former scenes in Time's rough blast
Have drifted far away;
And halls wherein our fathers ruled
Lie mouldering in decay,
Though ne'er again, o'er heathery wild,
I'll see the storm-clouds fly;
Or watch the golden glory creep
O'er lake, and mount and sky.
Though never more, from castle tower
I'll scan the pebbly shore;
Or hark the lovèd brother's lays
Chime with the plashing oar.
Yet, where no floweret ever fades,
Nor weeping wakes the morn;
Where every heart, with sorrow fraught,
To joy shall be re-born.
Within the great orchestral band
Glad anthems we'll prolong;
Nor sickness shall discord our praise,
Nor death disturb our song.
Nor ocean wide shall e'er divide,
Nor years nor space will sever;
In realm of health's immortal bloom
We'll live in love for ever.
What though my hope-fraught argosy
Ne'er reached a halcyon strand;
Though winds and waves have rudely tossed;
I know the Pilot's hand
Will steer me safe 'yond shifting-sands,
Dense fogs and chilling rime,
To anchorage within that haven,
Beyond the ridge of time.
Where crowns of pearl, and harps of gold
In holy radiance beam;
Where halos from the great White Throne
Dispel earth's fitful dream.
[Illustration]