Who murmured of the dead? Hush, boding voice! We know That many a shining head Lies in its glory low. Breathe not those names to-day! They shall have their praise e'er long, And a power all hearts to sway, In ever-burning song. But now shed flowers, pour wine, NAPLE S. A SONG OF THE SYREN. Then gentle winds arose, Of wild Æolian sound and mountain odour keen; Welters with air-like motion Within, above, around its bowers of starry green. SHELLEY. STILL is the Syren warbling on thy shore, Bright City of the Waves!-her magic song Still, with a dreamy sense of extacy, Fills thy soft summer's air :—and while my glance "Thine is the glad wave's flashing play, Thine is the laugh of the golden day, The golden day, and the glorious night, And the vine with its clusters all bathed in light! -Forget, forget, that thou art not free! Queen of the summer sea. "Favored and crowned of the earth and sky! Thine are all voices of melody, Wandering in moonlight through fane and tower, Floating o'er fountain and myrtle bower; Hark! now they melt o'er thy glittering sea; -Forget that thou art not free! "Let the wine flow in thy marble halls! Forget that thou art not free !" So doth the Syren sing, while sparkling waves Dance to her chaunt. But sternly, mournfully, O city of the deep! from Sybil grots And Roman tombs, the echoes of thy shore Take up the cadence of her strain alone, Murmuring-" Thou art not free!" |