Alexandria Daily Advertiser

DESCRIPTION

AUSPICIOUS NIGHT

The Charleston (S. C.)

Ponto Nox incumbat atra
Intenuerr Ptli, erebris micat ignibus aethere
Vide Enn. Lib. II

Now gloomy night outspreads her sable wing,
A deep sigh o'er the vale is cast:
Save where the solitary sheep bell rings,
Ye dry leaves rustle in the boistrous blast
Ye that from yonder mournful aged yew.
The moping owl just raised her boding screech
The shrill whistle of the lone curlew,
Sounds o'er the winding of the sandy beach.
The pale Cynthia darts her silver beams.
The envious mists disperse her orb unshroud
In o'er the whitening surge uncertain gleams,
Thro' the dark covert of surrounding clouds.

Horror broods upon the troubled main!
The swelling waves roll to the pebbly shore
Dark lowering clouds pour down the driving
rain.
Angry winds like solemn thunders roar.
Spirit of the tempest shoots aloud
Winging I see the foaming breakers rear:
O'er fell shoals in wild disorder crowd.
Peals of thunder rumble thro' the air
The storm increases, fiercer winds arise:
And lo! the moon withdraws her wonted ray;
Tho' vivid lightnings streak the flying skies,
And add more horror to the dreadful fray.

T. R. S.