“Couldst thou have lived to share with us this hour”

COULDST thou have lived to share with us this hour

Of grateful praise,

When minds of men are turned towards the far

Columbus days,

Then would thy lyre spell out thy wond’rous thoughts

In sweetest strain.

Thy soul would sing to us a touching song

Of fitful Spain;

Of monarchs that thrust forth a helpless band

Into the night;

Of monarchs that bade speed to him who found

This land of light.

Ah! now we miss thee. More and more to-day

We wish thee here,

Thy words are lacking, and the many moods

That brought us cheer.

Where are the bright inspiring tones of love

That gave us rest;

And taught us by their ever-charméd lines

That thou wert blest?

…….

Gone! Gone! ’Tis true, but not without their good

In lustre shed,

Through hearts whose flames were kindled by the light

Of one since dead.