by the sea. They are hemmed in by verdant box.

The daisy decks its borders. The primrose and the cowslip rear their rural heads among

the green-grown

grass. Simplicity charms the eye. The breath of roses scents the fresh air; sweet as the breath of thy lips. The fruit-trees hang in clusters. The bushes drop their rich spoil. The strawberry blooms red on the surrounding banks, encircled with green leaves. A bed of varied flowers strive to outshine each other; it is placed in the centre of the garden. Shrubberies ope their stately buds, and hang gracefully over a crystal pool; the wild swan skims its crystal breast. Water-lilies rear their yellow heads on its waves, their roots are deep in the waters. The honey bees hum loudly in the flowers. They have lost their stings. The silken butterfly flutters past, pure as a flake of snow when the enfeebled sun smiles through

a wintry cloud on its breast. the dark currant are ripe.

and the peach, drink in the

The red gooseberry and
The apricot, the melon,

burning sun. Come,

and taste these luscious fruits. I will deck thee with

honey-suckle. I will place in thy breast the rose of Sharon, that is without a thorn.

Long have I sighed for thee, blue-eyed maid!

My hairs have changed since first I saw thy charms. Youth has grown to manhood; manhood to its prime of life; it may soon wither, but there is no change in my soul! Love is still light within me; the passion is young in my breast time cannot remove it;years cannot chill it; death alone shall change it. Come, then, like the dove of hope to the ark of safety. I will keep the hoar-frost of winter from thy high forehead, when it creepeth like moon-light o'er the herbless fields. I will fan thee with cool zephyrs in the noon-heat of summer, when the weary wanderers of the rivulet bask in the sultry rays of the great sun. Come, then, joy of my heart! Be mine, charmer of my soul! Let beauty rejoice in its youth, for thou shalt also drink the draught of age. Light is thy laughing eye, red thy coral lip; there is gladness in thy smile ;-thy smile that is lighted at the censer of the heart! Fate decrees thee for my bride. Come, sweet hour that bids two hearts unite, come, for we shall be happy!

SONNET.

THERE is a little spot on God's fair earth,
To which our longing memory ever clings;

Where in our youthful days of love and mirth;

Sweet feeling trill'd the bosom's tenderest strings.
Where'er we roam, reflection ever flings

Its fond arms round it, and will linger there,
And fancy often hovers high on wings,
To gaze upon it, deeming it most fair!
No charm, however novel, can compare

With this green spot, so cherish'd in the heart;
Nor beauty, be it e'er so bright and rare,

Such sacred pleasures to the soul impart.

Speak out, my heart! though thou hast loved to roam, Hast thou e'er once forgot thy sacred, natal HOME?

TO MY NAMESAKE AND NEPHEW.

DEDICATED TO MY BROTHER-IN-LAW, MR. JAMES WILSON, OF AUCHILEEK, ARGYLESHIRE.

"TIs well for thee, mine infant boy!

Thus to be glad and free;

But, ah! thou wilt not know such joy,
When old in cares like me.

'Tis bliss to see thee leap and smile,

And lisp as thou dost now;

Ere yet inform'd this world is guile;
Or grief has dimm'd thy brow.

How could I wish my days like thine-
My heart as young and gay;-
But vainly doth my soul repine,
When these have pass'd away—
Pass'd like a cloud across the sky,

Or breeze across the sea;

246

TO MY NAMESAKE AND NEPHEW.

Pass'd like the echo of a sigh,

Or fleet as thought can flee!

Yet, mix'd with fond and feeling hearts,
My soul forgets its years,

And kindred joy a draught imparts,

Too bright to taste of tears!

And song, and mirth, by love inspired,

Steal soft my senses o'er;

And proud sensations, once admired,

Return as heretofore.

Methought that on a couch I lay,

And childhood had return'd,

And all seem'd mystic; but so gay,
With love my bosom burn'd;

And the young blood came rushing warm,

My bounding bosom o'er,

And with its newly vital charm

Did cheer it to its core!

But night and darkness pass'd away,—

The shadows mix'd with air,