On a Star

BEAUTIFUL star that art wandering through
The midnight ocean's waves of blue!
I have watched since thy first pale ray
Rose on the farewell of summer's day, —
From thy first sweet shine on the twilight hour,
To thy present blaze of beauty and power!
Would I could read my destiny,
Lovely and glorious star, in thee!
Yet why should I wish? — I know too well
What thy tablet of light would tell!
What, oh! what could I read there,
But the depths of Love's despair, —

Blighted feelings, like leaves that fall
The first from April's coronal, —
Hopes like meteors that shine and depart-
An early grave, and a broken heart!