For in that gorgeous world, I fondly deem, Dwells the freed soul of one whose earthly dream Was full of beauty, majesty and wo— One who, in that pure realm of thine, doth grow Into a power serene—a solemn joy, Undimmed by earthly sorrow or alloy; Sphered far above the dread phantasmal gloom That made his poet-heart a living tomb, Tortured by fires that death alone could quell Fierce as the flames of Farinati’s hell. “Was it not Fate, whose earthly name is Sorrow,” That bade him with prophetic soul to borrow From all the stars that fleck night’s purple dome, _Thee_, bright Arcturus! for our spirit home— Our trysting star, where, while on earth’s cold clime, Our mingling souls might meet in dreams sublime? Was it not Fate, whose name in Heaven above Is Truth and Goodness and unchanging Love— Was it not _Fate_ that bade him turn to thee As the bright regent of his destiny?— For when thine orb passed from the lengthening gloom Of autumn nights a morning star to bloom Beside Aurora’s eastern gates of pearl, _He_ passed from earth his weary wings to furl In “the cool vales of Heaven”—thence through yon sea Of starry isles to hold his course to thee.[1] Now when again my wistful eyes I turn To greet thy beacon fires, feeding the urn Of memory with sweet thoughts—I almost see The presence of the loved and lost in thee, Kindling within my soul a pure desire To blend with thine its pale, candescent fire. I have “no refuge from thy light,” no home Save in the depths of yon empyrian dome, Where thy bright Pharos ’mid the stars doth burn, “Whence I departed, whither I return,” To lose my very life in thine, and be Soul of thy soul through all eternity. ----- [1] For there is no place of annihilation—but alive they mount up each into his own order of star, and take their appointed seat in the heavens. GEORGICS, BOOK IV. * * * * * TRAVELING A TOUCHSTONE. A PARTY OF PLEASURE. BY F. E. F., AUTHOR OF “A MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE,” ETC. A GAYER party, bent on pleasure, never left the wharf than that now on board the steamer bound for Albany. It consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Castleton, Ruth Meredith and her friend Grace Fanshaw, with young Meredith, who had been coaxed by his sister to join the party, so that “they need be no trouble to Mr. Castleton.” He had consented, though voting it rather a “bore.” The presence of the pretty, winning, graceful Mrs. Castleton reconciled him, however, somewhat to the scheme, which was declared perfect in all its prospects and details, except the one drawback to the young ladies, of having been obliged to ask Mary Randall to accompany them.