“THE MOON’s PALE RAY.”

The moon’s pale ray is smiling o’er us, And night is joyous in her beam; So spread around, is fancy’s dream, Tho’ life’s tempestuous sea, before us. No breeze is up, with soft commotion To stir the wild lake’s breast; Our halcyon spirits rest, Tho’ launch’d on life’s rough heaving ocean. Calmly, our healthful spirits slumber On youth’s unruffled wave; Tho’ soon upon our grave Affection’s wail may sound in sadest number. When neath the sod our mould’ring bones are sleeping, O! may sorrow mark the spot, And love forget it not, But still around our graves, be hallow’d vigils keeping. Arround our current gay, blooms each fav’ring gift of heaven, And love enchanting smiles, But beware of cupid’s wiles,— He shades with hues of death life’s fast approaching even. O, may our frail bark, through smoothest seas be steering; As yon moon’s pale placid beam, Be our love a happy dream, And each day our kindred spirits endearing.