RICHARD H. DANA. THIS great poet was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1787, and was educated at Harvard College. He studied law in Baltimore, and after practising a short time in the courts, turned his attention to literature. In 1833 appeared his "Poems and Prose Writings," in one volume; and he has since published a few pieces in the periodicals. Mr. Dana's works are of the first rank in literary art, and they are pervaded by a profoundly religious and philosophical spirit. ISLAND OF THE BUCANIERS. THE island lies nine leagues away. Of craggy rock and sandy bay, No sound but ocean's roar, Save, where the bold, wild sea-bird makes her home, But when the light winds lie at rest, And on the glassy, heaving sea, How beautiful! no ripples break the reach, And silvery waves go noiseless up the beach. And inland rests the green, warm dell; The brook comes tinkling down its side; Rings cheerful, far and wide, Mingling its sound with bleatings of the flocks, Nor holy bell nor pastoral bleat In former days within the vale; Curses were on the gale; Rich goods lay on the sand, and murdered men ; Now stretch your eye off shore, o'er waters made To cleanse the air and bear the world's great trade, To rise, and wet the mountains near the sun, Then back into themselves in rivers run, Fulfilling mighty uses far and wide, Through earth, in air, or here, as ocean-tide. Ho! how the giant heaves himself, and strains To think; then rests, and then puts forth again. And though the land is thronged again, O Sea! Share thy own spirit: it is sadness all! Yonder tall cliff-he with the iron crown! |