ON THE DEATH OF A LADY AT HAVANA, WHITHER SHE WENT FOR HER HEALTH.
Ye say that with a smile she past
Forth from her hallow'd bower,
That her dark eye strange brilliance cast,
To gild the parting hour;
That on her cheek with radiance rare
A kindling flush did burn,
Ye view'd it as the promise fair
Of health and glad return.
In many a fond and friendly breast
Did parting sorrows stir,
And many a lip with trembling blest
That lovely voyager;
Light sped the white sail o'er the wave,
And gathering to her side,
True hearts that strove to shield and save,
Her every wish supplied.
And still upon that tossing sea,
Her idol boy was near,
And tunefully his caroll'd glee
Fell on a mother's ear;
And well his glance its joy exprest
To watch the sea-bird's flight,
Or trace amid the billow's crest
The phosphorescent light.
They sought that Isle, by beam and breeze,
In changeless beauty drest,
