Adine: A Fragment

She lov'd to hold communion with the night When none were near, and to the golden stars Pour forth the silent breathings of a soul, Bright as their beams,--and pure, as that far sky Of deep and stainless azure, where they dwell. And she would linger many a lonely hour To watch the gentle Empress of the heav'ns, Come forth, in her so graceful majesty, Flinging the floating vapours from her path, Which would have veil'd her loveliness--and then Shedding the fullest lustre of her smiles Upon the lull'd, and sleeping world below; Or sometimes, as if sick'ning at the scenes Which met her down-ward gaze retiring slow Behind the shadow of the courtier-clouds, Which love to throw themselves between her smiles, And this dim earth of ours. And Adine oft Would stand on some rude cliff to mark the war Of the wild waters, when the raging winds Had lash'd them into madness,-and the waves With most impetuous, and appalling force, Breasted the rock whereon she stood, and flung Their foam-wreaths at her feet;--and unto her The forked lightnings, in their angry play, Were a delight;--and music to her ear Dwelt in the thunder's voice: her spirit drank The beauty of the universe, and dwelt On its sublime magnificence, until Each thought grew grand and glorious, and sought out, A resting-place in regions far away !--