Those deep, delicious, heavy-lidded eyes Oh, I could bask forever in their light! What raptures, sweet, heart-thrilling raptures, rise Whene’er I pierce their depths with eager sight! The profile pure and soft—the bright full face— The cupid mouth with rows of flashing pearls— The waist so dainty—step of gliding grace— White brow—curved hair, more beautiful than curls, All make her sweetest, loveliest of girls. Her breath is balmier than May’s downiest breeze; Rosier than rose-buds are her moist, plump lips; Than the pure nectar there, no purer sips The clinging bee—all beauty’s harmonies Are in her sweetly blent—all hearts her graces seize. II.—THE LESSONS OF NATURE. Nature in outward seeming takes the hue Of our chance mood; if sad, her tones and looks Are full of grief; if glad, her winds and brooks Are full of merriment. But piercing through Her outward garb, her sadness whispers “Peace— Peace to thee, mourner! day succeeds to night, Sunshine to storm!” Her brightest mirth says “Cease This thoughtless rapture! flowers must suffer blight, Change is my law of order.” Then a voice Swells from her deep and solemn heart, “Rejoice With purer joy, ye mirthful! and be glad With a sustaining, steadfast faith, ye sad! In this swift, changeful life, whate’er befall (Blest truth) a watchful God of love is over all!” * * * * * DARA. BY JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL. When Persia’s sceptre trembled in a hand Wilted by harem-heats, and all the land Was hovered over by those vulture ills That snuff decaying empire from afar, Then, with a nature balanced as a star, Dara arose, a shepherd of the hills. He, who had governed fleecy subjects well, Made his own village, by the self-same spell, Secure and peaceful as a guarded fold, Till, gathering strength by slow and wise degrees, Under his sway, to neighbor villages Order returned, and faith and justice old. Now when it fortuned that a king more wise Endued the realm with brain and hands and eyes, He sought on every side men brave and just, And, having heard the mountain-shepherd’s praise, How he renewed the mould of elder days, To Dara gave a satrapy in trust.