"Twas the voice of the PRESS-on the startled ear breaking, In giant-born prowess, like Pallas of old: "Twas the flash of intelligence gloriously waking A glow on the cheek of the noble and bold; And tyranny's minions, o'erawed and affrighted, Sought a lasting retreat in the cloister and cowl, And the chains which bound nations in ages benighted Were cast to the haunts of the bat and the owl. Then hail to the PRESS! chosen guardian of freedom! Strong sword-arm of justice! bright sunbeam of truth! We pledge to her cause, (and she has but to need them,) The strength of our manhood, the fire of our youth: Should despot e'er dare to impede her free soaring Or bigot to fetter her flight with his chain, We swear that the earth shall close o'er our deploring, Or view her in gladness and freedom again. But no!-to the day-dawn of knowledge and glory, bleeds And proudly her sons shall recall their devotion, And the earth echoes deep with "Long life to the PRESS!" "TIS STRANGE, THE MYSTIC LINK THAT BINDS. BY JAMES MARTIN. 'Tis strange, the mystic link that binds Whose faintest murmuring sound reminds A tone of music fled, Which to the mind a glimpse reveals "Tis strange an echo has the power Oh! what a price does memory pay For boyhood's dreams long past away, How rapid is their flight! Those halcyon days, when the young thought Ere sorrow came and rudely taught How transient was its joy. And when we wake from our young dreams, Too like the rainbow's glorious beams- Those dreams are spectres of the mind They pass from off the brain; WHEN THOSE DREAMS THAT ENCHANT. BY FRANCIS PANTON, JUN. WHEN those dreams that enchant us in boyhood are over, And feelings forsake us that pleasure could rouse; When the myrtle, entwined as a crown for the lover, Falls leafless and dead from the brow of the spouse; When the full flowing wine-cup no longer can borrow Those smiles that can brighten its billows alone: Then we'll think of those hours we have squandered with sorrow; But oh! while they last, they're too lovely to shun. Now! now cull the dew-dripping rosebud and braid it. While it nestles the first smile of morn in its breast; Soon the withering gaze of the day-god may fade it, And the rose may be flung from the brow it caressed. And soon, like the rose, may some joy that entwined us, Fade from friendship's gay circle and never return; Of the past, memory's mirror may sadly remind us, And the spirit but gaze on its shadows to mourn. Then round with the bowl-oh! now let us drain it, And bask in the beam that is shed o'er its brim; Soon the pitiless lip of old Time may profane it, And his sullying breath bid its lustre be dim. Oh! thus may my spirit, when death shall unbind it, Glide lightly away like the light rosy wave; And as dear be the memory that lingers behind it, As the loveliest dream that the wine-cup e'er gave. A GENTLE BREEZE FROM HER HIGH BROW. BY RUFUS W. GRISWOLD. A GENTLE breeze from her high brow Throws back her raven hair, Oh, gladness has no longer now That brow with clouds is overcast, That cheek is wan and paledWhat spell has o'er her spirit passed, And what her heart assailed? Another gaze: a tear is there- In those o'erflowing eyes! Upon her hand a diamond rare But where is he who placed it there Joy in the faithful bosom dies When Love's sweet dream is o'er. |