ELFIN LAND:

AND

OTHER POEMS.

BY

BENJAMIN WEST BALL.

BOSTON AND CAMBRIDGE:

JAMES MUNROE AND COMPANY.

MDCCC LI.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1851, by

JAMES MUNROE & COMPANY,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.

THURSTON, TORRY & EMERSON, PRINTERS.

ΤΟ

D. S. H.,

THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED,

AS A TESTIMONIAL

OF AFFECTIONATE REGARD.

M191874

TO D. S. H.

I.

ERE thou wert seen, and ere I knew
Such loveliness on earth unfolded,
A morning dream revealed to view

That shape in perfect beauty moulded;
Around thy graceful waist, methought,

The fabled Zone of Love was glowing, The cestus with enchantment fraught,

A charm, that vanquished all, bestowingThe phantom fled, but evermore Until thyself I might discover, Its memory in my heart I bore, Of shade impalpable the lover.

11.

When Eastward thou wert long sojourning,
From me divided and afar,

Though sunset in the West was burning,
I turned where shone my being's star;
Beyond the woods, the village spires,
Adown the broadly flowing river
My glances winged by wild desires

To pierce the distance, would endeavor;
Each bickering train which eastward rolled,
Each trailing cloud that thither flew,
As long as eyesight could behold,

I followed, musing still of you;