The earth has washed away its stain. The climbing moon plays on the rippling sea.- God's first Temples. A Hymn.—BRYANT. THE groves were God's first temples. Ere man learned To hew the shaft, and lay the architrave, And spread the roof above them,-ere he framed The sound of anthems,-in the darkling wood, And from the gray old trunks, that, high in heaven, Should we, in the world's riper years, neglect Let me, at least, Father, thy hand Hath reared these venerable columns; thou Didst weave this verdant roof. Thou didst look dowr All these fair ranks of trees. They, in thy sun, Fit shrine for humble worshipper to hold The boast of our vain race to change the form In music;-thou art in the cooler breath, That, from the inmost darkness of the place, Comes, scarcely felt ;-the barky trunks, the ground, The fresh, moist ground, are all instinct with thee. Here is continual worship;-nature, here, In the tranquillity that thou dost love, Enjoys thy presence. Noiselessly, around, From perch to perch, the solitary bird Passes; and yon clear spring, that, 'midst its herbs, Wells softly forth, and visits the strong roots Of half the mighty forest, tells no tale Of all the good it does. Thou hast not left Of thy perfections. Grandeur, strength, and grace, In all the proud old world beyond the deep, My heart is awed within me, when I think Lo! all grow old and die: but see, again, How, on the faltering footsteps of decay, Makes his own nourishment. For he came forth There have been holy men, who hid themselves Deep in the woody wilderness, and gave Their lives to thought and prayer, till they outlived Around them;-and there have been holy men, The swift, dark whirlwind, that uproots the woods, Its cities;-who forgets not, at the sight Scene from Hadad.-HILLHOUSE. An apartment in ABSALOM's house. NATHAN and TAMAR. Nathan. THOU'RT left to-day, (would thou wert ever left Of some that haunt thee!) therefore am I come To give thee counsel.-Child of sainted Miriam, Fear not to look upon me; thou wilt hear The gentle voice of love, not stern monition. Commune with me as with a tender parent, Who cares for all thy wishes, hopes, and fears, Though prizing thy immortal gem above The transitory. Tamar. Have I not thus, ever? Nath. But I would probe the tenderest of thy heart, Touch its disease, and give it strength again, And yet inflict no pain. Tam. What means my lord? Nath. I know thee pure, and guileless as the dove; The easier prey; and thou art fair, to tempt If I can answer Nath. Maiden, need I ask,— I fear I need not,-is he dear to thee? 'Tis well. But tell me, hast thou ever noted, Amidst his many shining qualities, Aught strange or singular?-unlike to others?— That caused thy wonder?-even to thyself, Moved thee to say, How! Wherefore's this? Tam. Never. Nath. Nothing that marked him from the rest of men : Hereafter you shall know why thus I question. Tam. Ŏ yes, unlike he seems in many things; In knowledge, eloquence, high thoughts. Nath. Proud thoughts Thou mean'st. Tam. I'm but a young and simple maid; But, father, he, of all my ears have judged, Is master of the loftiest, richest mind. Nath. How have I wronged him! deeming him more apt For intricate designs, and daring deeds, Than contemplation's solitary flights. Tam. Seer, his far-soaring thoughts ascend the stars, Nath. (fixing his eyes upon her.) What stores of love, and praise, and gratitude, Returning from its quest through earth and heaven, I were too happy. Nath. How!-expound thy words. Tam. Though he has trod the confines of the world, Knows all its wonders, and almost has pierced The secrets of eternity, his heart Is melancholy, lone, discordant, save When love attunes it into happiness. He hath not found, alas! the peace which dwells Nath. And canst thou love One who loves not Jehovah ? Tam. O, ask not. Nath. (fervently.) My child, thou wouldst not wed an infidel? Tam. (in tears.) O no! O no! Nath. Why, then, this embassage? Why doth your sire Still urge the king? Why hast thou hearkened it? Tam. There was a time when I had hopes,-when truth Seemed dawning in his mind-and sometimes, still, Such heavenly glimpses shine, that my fond heart To number him with Israel. Nath. Beware! Or thou❜lt delude thy soul to ruin. Say, Tam. He promises observance. |