'NO GOD!' O impious sophist! then are we Cast pilotless upon an unknown sea; Gazing all wildly on the void profound, Unknowing whence we came or whither bound: The forms around us are not what they seem, Men are but shadows, life is but a dream; And the bright worlds that run their glorious race Mere bubbles floating in the realms of space; Self-poised they roll, and self-illumed they shine, Rise without cause, and sink without design! Launched on the flood, we trim our fated bark, Beneath a sky low, desolate, and dark; No north-star hangs with fixed and steady ray, To light the lonely voyager on his way; Homeless and friendless on the billowy tides, Tossed by the hurricanes which no one guides, Now fired with Hope, now grappling with Despair, He sees afar some beacon's transient glare; Pursues it till it fades, then turns in gloom To meet his last irrevocable doom. What though the solace of his lot may be The meteor-dream of Immortality? That spark expired with the expiring breath-- No morn shall break the iron sleep of DEATH!' 'The Maniac Maid' has some effective stanzas. One especially is picturesque and beautiful. The poor girl is represented as lingering around the sea-shore, watching for her lost sailor-lover: 'AT eve, when nought is heard But the roar of the dashing wave, And the voice of the lone sea-bird That sings from her coral cave, She wanders forth all lonely The rocks and sedge among, And to the cold sea only Pours forth her plaintive song.' 'The Seminoles' is a very creditable production. Some fine lines also touching our native country and that ancient race, are found in 'Thoughts of Home:' 'STERN region, I love thee! Thy woodlands and waters Are linked with old legends of battle and love: There the wild warriors fought, and the forest's dark daughters Told their vows and adored the Great Spirit above. 'Frail wrecks of mortality! where are they now? Their glory departed long ages ago; And woman's smooth cheek and the warrior's stern brow Lie unmarked from the dust of the quiver and bow. 'Ay, I love thee, proud land! Thou hast eyes that are brighter, Made radiant with smiles, by no sorrows o'ercast; Thou hast forms that are fairer and hearts that are lighter, Than Romance e'er saw in her dreams of the past. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 'Bright home of my dreams! may I greet thee again! In city and country I've mingled with men, But they part and they meet with as little emotion As the icebergs that float on the desolate ocean.'