[Footnote A: This bird, though not an inhabitant of the northern states, is frequently to be met with in Georgia and the Carolinas.] Alonzo bent, kneeled, he prostrated himself, he clasped the green turf which enclosed her grave, he watered it with his tears, he warmed it with his sighs. "Where art thou, bright beam of heavenly light! he said. Come to my troubled soul, blessed spirit! Come, holy shade! come in all thy native loveliness, and cheer the bosom of wretchedness, by thy grief dispersing smile! On the ray of yon evening star descend. One moment leave the celestial regions of glory--leave, one moment, thy sister beatitudes, and glide, in entrancing beauty, before me: wave, benignly wave thy white hand, and assuage the anguish of despairing sorrow! Alas! in vain my invocation! A curtain, impenetrable, is drawn betwixt me and thee, only to be disclosed by the dissolution of nature." He arose and walked away: suddenly he stopped. "Yet, said he, if spirits departed lose not the power of recollection;--if they have knowledge of present events on earth, Melissa cannot have forgotten me--she must pity me." He returned to the grave; he took her miniature from his bosom; he held it up, and earnestly viewed it by the moon's pale ray. "Ah, Franklin! he exclaimed, how tenderly does she beam her lovely eye upon me! How often have I drank delicious extacy from the delicacy of those unrivalled charms! How often have they taught me to anticipate superlative and uninterrupted bliss! Mistaken and delusive hope! [_returning the miniature to his bosom._] Vain and presumptuous assurance. Then [_pointing to the grave_] there behold how my dearest wishes, my fondest expectations are realized!----Hallowed turf! lie lightly on her bosom!--Sacred willows! sprinkle the dews gently over her grave, while the mourning breezes sigh sadly amid your branches! Here may the "widowed wild rose love to bloom!" Here may the first placid beams of morning delight to linger; from hence, the evening ray reluctantly withdraw!--And when the final trump shall renovate and arouse the sleeping saint;--when on "buoyant step" she soars to glory, may our meeting spirits join in beatifick transport! May my enraptured ear catch the first holy whisper of her consecrated lips." * * * * *