Shepherdstown Register

POETICAL.

For the Register.

The Dream of Alphonzo and Amelia.

The wreath upon her silken hair
Was gently plac'd with tender care.
That wreath was twin'd of lovely flow'rs,
And twin'd in youth's most hallow'd hours.
The lilly of the dewy morn,
With Sharon's rose—but newly born
Were softly plac'd and hap'ly wove
For her to whom we knclt in love.
And as we knelt—light fingers stray'd
O'er her Guitar—she sang and play'd
"The Cyprcss Wreath," "Athenian Maid,"
Both fav'rite airs—awhile she lent
To youth the spell of sentiment.
Now twilight's gauze—veil'd o'er the day
And music's strains fast died away;
We listen'd—but no more to hear,
Amelia wept—and wept a tear,
"An ocean in a tear" she said
"A volume in a word" is read.
We gaz'd upon the wreath still more
It look'd not, as it look'd before.
In deepest grecn the cypress hung
Luxuriant its mantle flung
And closely like, the maiden clung
To sccnes of love—to hearts unstrung,
Such the dream of life.
Again we slept and dream'd once more
That years had flown—perchance a score
Had flected past—had hurried o'er,
Had beat on us like wavcs on shore.
She whom we lov'd in youth too well,
Who taught us first love's magie spell,
Had lov'd another and his bride
Had been—and liv'd, and loy'd, and died
Now on her tomb—lone home of Death,
Is cut a lovely Cypress—wreath,
And written deeply on the stone,
"Here rests Amelia of Charlestown,"
Alphonzo started—nor could deem
The scenes he saw clse than a dream,
The Dream of Death.

ALPHONZO

Charlestown.