Classic Poem

As from a window, in the wane of night,
With starry views , I feasted wand'ring sight,
I saw L IBERIA watch the rising day,
Whose lustre was to light her friend away!
That friend , whose kindred passion serv'd to prove,
The promis'd ardour of her brother's love!
That brother's love, which, tho' it meets regard,
Remains uncrown'd , with the yet-hop'd reward!
As, in some overcast and dismal day,
We start, to see the sun, at once, break way ,
So, at that hour, to see such charms advance,
When ghosts are said to rise, and fairies dance!
With more than usual pleasure, fill'd my sight,
And mix'd some wonder , with much more delight!
While, arm in arm, they trac'd the garden walk,
The love-hush'd air hung list'ning to their talk:
The dancing breeze , which had, 'till then, been gay,
At their appearance, sigh'd, and dy'd away.
As they drew near, the moon more strongly shone,
To view their brightness, not to boast her own .
A gen'ral stillness seem'd to sooth their cares,
And nature's face grew sad , to suit with theirs :
Shrill-barking Mopsy smother'd her own joys,
Fearing to drown her mistress ' charming voice:
L IBERIA spoke, but seem'd to speak in vain,
As if unable to describe her pain!
When grief is true , no words its force can paint,
A silent sorrow far outspeaks complaint !
A thousand leaves the destin'd sisters took;
A thousand unspoke meanings fill'd each look :
Oft, they gaz'd, upward, to the dawning sky,
And curs'd th' expected hour, for drawing nigh:
If now, thought I, some gentle zephyr blew,
Thus shou'd it whisper, as it round her flew:
Think , since your pitying soul does absence hate,
Absence from you , must sharper pangs create!
Think, if, to lose the sister , gives you woes;
What, losing you, the brother undergoes!
Who, every night, from your lov'd presence, sent,
Does long repeated absences lament!
And, if this parting does yourself displease,
Be taught, by sympathy , to give him ease.