RETROSPECT.
The gulf's far shore my straining sight
Scarce reaches through the deepening shades,
And, mingling with the growing night,
The gorgeous glow of sunset fades.
The lowing kine have ceased their moan;
The furnace fires have lit the brine;
And the quick chimes, with cheerful tone,
Ring out the evening hour of nine.
The marshy tribes renew their tune.
And spring with fragrance fills the breeze;
And in full sail the ascending moon
Glides on her course through airy seas.
And now the sister Pleiads sink;
The lighthouse beacons flash and fade;
And, bending o'er the water's brink,
The cedars frown in darker shade.
Ah, once again through streaming tears
My thoughts retrace their ancient track,
And through the mists of by-gone years
To well-remembered scenes go back.
This is the spot—I marked it well;
Thy face was sad, thine eyes were wet,
When thy voice, mingling with the bell.
Breathed its "Good-by!" and "Don't forget!"
Dim on the wave the barge receded
That bore thee swiftly from the shore,
And the light breeze brought back unheeded
The sullen plashing of the oar;
But, when once more I stood alone.
Where both so oft of old had met,
