The Hebrew [A Novel]; With the Dream of Saint Keyna [Verse]. - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1828. Excerpt: ... THE DREAM OF SAINT KEYNA. Who sleeps this lovely night? The heavens, the earth, The mountains, and the torrents, and the rills, Are waking round thee to a solemn mirth,--But such a vigil the bright landscape fills As almost seems a slumber, which yet smiles With such sweet life as though it were not sleep, But speechless joy, the quiet scene did keep. Moonlight and shadow,--silence, and the trill Of the sweet night-bird's music,--movelessness On earth, and in the heaven the blue stars still Swift twinkling or far darting,--clouds that press Silently, slowly on, though not a tress Of the light birch waves with the wind below, All blending life with death, more soothing show. Who sleeps this lovely night? Thou holy maid,--Chaste Keyna! Thou dost slumber, for thy soul By even lovelier visions is delay'd In the bright land of dreams: in vain the pole Above thee spreads its star-emblazon'd scroll; And sink and swell in vain the night-bird's notes,--Thy spirit o'er all in joys more blissful floats. The blood of princes throbs about thy heart, And yet thy bed is but this pavement cold; Crowns from that brow might brighter lustre dart, Yet but thine own fair hair is round it roll'd,--Almost as fair as snow, as bright as gold; This rude-roof'd chapel is thy canopy;--Yet slumber kings more sweet, or softer lie? These are thy native mountains o'er thee peering, And that below thy father's regal pile, Thy brethren's looks towards thee are more endearing, And gladlier beams thy father's conscious smile, For that this sister, daughter, owns a style Loftier than princess; sainted as she is, Yet is the soul for all not proud, I wis. Such thy rude bed, when over Severn's stream In that strange solitude thou deign'dst to dwell, Where venom'd serpents made the beauteous cli...