SUNSHINE AND STORM. Yet the spirit of the storm 'Ere a dark and heavy mass And the shrieking gale will fly is not this alternate strife Far above the shifting clouds, And the sheeting sunlight there 49 50 THE BANNER OF MURAT. Fills the blue untroubled air; THE BANNER OF MURAT BY P. M. WETMORE. 'Thou, of the snow white plume!'-Byron. FOREMOST among the first, And bravest of the brave! Where'er the battle's fury burst, Or rolled its purple wave- And the snowy plume that his helmet bore, Mingler on many a field, Where rung wild victory's peal! That fearless spirit was like a shield- A panoply of steel: For very joy in a glorious name, He rushed where danger stood; And that banner-plume like a winged flame, Streamed o'er the field of blood! TO THE ICE MOUNTAIN. His followers loved to gaze On his form, with a fierce delight, As it towered above the battle's blaze— And eyes looked up, ere they closed in death, 51 And lips shrieked out with their parting breath, 'The lily plume is there!' A cloud is o'er him now For the peril hour hath come And he stands with his high unshaded brow, Away! no screen for a soldier's eye- A rattling peal--and a shuddering cry- www TO THE ICE MOUNTAIN. BY JAMES 0. ROCKWELL. GRAVE of waters gone to rest! Jewel, dazzling all the main ! "Father of the silver crest! Wandering on the trackless plain, Sleeping mid the wavy roar, 52 TO THE ICE MOUNTAIN. Sailing mid the angry storm, Wandering monument of rain, Roamer in the hidden path, 'Neath the green and clouded wave! With our mourned lost have done! Floating ship, who in the sun And beneath the viewless dun, THE LAST PROPHECY OF CASSANDRA 53 THE LAST PROPHECY OF CASSANDRA. THE sun is fading in the skies, And evening shades are gathering fast; Fair city, ere that sun shall rise, Thy night hath come-thy day is past! Ye know not-but the hour is nigh; Go, age, and let thy withered cheek Be wet once more with freezing tears; Go, child, and pour thy sinless prayer And he who sits in glory there May stoop to hear thy silver tone. Go. warrior, in thy glittering steel, And bid thy frowning gods reveal |