1.

THE ORIENTAL LOVE-LETTER.

By Mrs. Pickersgill, Authoress of Tales of the Harem.

The Sun in parting splendor set
On mosque, and dome, and minaret,
And many a golden ruddy beam

Lit up each pure and gushing stream;

And leaves and flowers were gemm'd with dew,

Lavished on buds of every hue,

Which like a fair Sultana's zone,
Or coronal of Peri shone.

And in her own sequester'd bower,
Within the Harem's still retreat,
Sitara at that lovely hour;

Of Eve had chos'n her lonely seat;
For on embroidered couches lay'd,
Reclin'd the pensive Moslem maid.

In vain the beauteous woodbines wound,
Like Love's light bonds the casement round,

Wafting their tribute of perfume

And laughing in their roseate bloom;

For all neglected lay her lute

Whose every moving strain was mute!