Lulu [pp. 453]

1856.]
Founded by a warlike race, surrounded
by foes, Jerusalem was built chiefly with
respect to strength ofposition. As has well
been said: "No river or stream flows by;
no fertility surrounds it, no commerce is
able to approach its walls, no thoroughfare of nations it finds in the way. It
seems to stand apart from the world, exempt from its passions, its ambition, and
even its prosperity." And the same writer justly adds: "all the other cities of
the earth are frequented by votaries of
gain, science, luxury or glory. Zion
offers only privations to the Pilgrim's
body, solemn reflections for his thoughts,
awe for his soul; her palaces are ruins, her
hotels are dreary convents, her chief
boast and triumph is a sepulchre." And
with these truthful remarks, I will close
this letter, already too long, with the
promise of sending you, when my engagements will permit, some more rough
notes of my pilgrimage to Palestine, my
impressions of Jerusalem and its vicinage, visits to the Mosques of Omar and
E1 Akhar, journey to Bethlehem, Pools of
Solomon, Mar Saba (the rock hewn Convent) the Dead Sea, and the Jordan,-a
midnight ride with Bedouins from Jericho to Jerusalem, &c., &C., &e.
~' But how th e subject-theme may gang,
Let chance and time determine;
Perhaps it may turn out a sang,
Perhaps turn out a sermon."
4:
LULU.
Longing, longing, forever!
Where is my Lulu gone?
0, the low whispering tulips!
0, the green flowery lawn!
You smile there forever, my Lulu Your smile is the crown of the day!
Your voice is the delicate laughter
Of flowers in the hours of May.
The white clouds float in the azure
Like dreams of a summer night:
And you float in my memory, sweetest,
As beautiful and as bright!
The moon will soon from the uplands
Shower upon flower and tree,
0, come like the moon of harvest,
0, Lulu, come back to me!
Speak to me, longing, forever Speak to my soul, and say,
That the gloom from my heart's dim heaven
Shall pass like the mists away!
453
LOU.
E. D.
ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT.
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