y now. This is my birthday, and I have just finished
something which, I think, is better than what I usually write." He
then produced to them those beautiful stanzas, which, though already
known to most readers, are far too affectingly associated with this
closing scene of his life to be omitted among its details. Taking
into consideration, indeed, every thing connected with these
verses,--the last tender aspirations of a loving spirit which they
breathe, the self-devotion to a noble cause which they so nobly
express, and that consciousness of a near grave glimmering sadly
through the whole,--there is perhaps no production within the range
of mere human composition round which the circumstances and feelings
under which it was written cast so touching an interest.

"JANUARY 22D.

"ON THIS DAY I COMPLETE MY THIRTY-SIXTH YEAR.

1.
"'Tis time this heart should be unmoved,
Since others it hath ceased to move;
Yet though I cannot be beloved,
Still let me love!

2.
"My days are in the yellow leaf;
The flowers and fruits of love are gone;
The worm, the canker, and the grief
Are mine alone!

3.
"The fire that on my bosom preys
Is lone as some volcanic isle;
No torch is kindled at its blaze--
A funeral pile!

4.
"The hope, the fear, the jealous care,
The exalted portion of the pain
And power of love, I cannot share,
But wear the chain.

5.
"But 'tis not _thus_--and 'tis not _here_--
Such thoughts should shake my soul, nor _now_,
Where glory decks the hero's bier,
Or binds his brow.

6.
"The sword, the banner, and the field,
Glory and Greece, around roe see!
The Spartan, borne upon his shield,
Was not more free.

7.
"Awake! (not Greece--she _is_ awake!)
Awake, my spirit! Think through _whom_
Thy life-blood tracks its parent lake,
And then strike home!

8.
"Tread those reviving passions down,
Unworthy manhood!--unto thee
Indifferent should the smile or frown
Of beauty be.

9.
"If thou regret'st thy youth, _why live_?
The land of honourable death
Is here:--up to the field, and give
Away thy breath!

10.
"Seek out--less often sought than found--
A soldier's grave, for thee the best;
Then look around, and choose thy ground,--
And take thy rest."

"We perceived," says Count Gamba, "from these lines, as well as from
his daily conversations, that his ambitio