Poems (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1833. Excerpt: ... SONG. She is not fair to outward view As many maidens be, Her loveliness I never knew Until she smil'd on me; Oh then I saw, her eye was bright, A well of love, a spring of light. But now her looks are coy and cold, To mine they ne'er reply, And yet I cease not to behold, The love-light in her eye: Her very frowns are fairer far, Than smiles of other maidens are. EPITAPH ON A MOTHER AND THREE INFANTS. From God they came, to God they went again, No sin they knew, and knew but little pain, And here they lie, by their fond mother's side, Who lived to love and lose them, then she died. LEONARD AND SUSAN. . They were a gentle pair, whose love began They knew not when--they knew not of a time When they loved not. In the mere sentient life Of unremember'd infancy, whose speech, Like secret love's, is only smiles and tears, The baby Leonard clapp'd his little hands, Leapt in his nurse's arms, and crow'd aloud When Susan was in sight, and utter'd sounds Most strange and strangely sweet, that nothing meant But merely joy, as in the green-wood tree The merry merle awakes his thrilling song, Soon as the cool breath of the vernal dawn Stirs the light leaflets on the motionless boughs. Mute as the shadow of a passing bird On glassy lake, the gentle Susan lay, Hush'd in her meek delight. A dimpled smile Curl'd round her tiny, rosy mouth, and seem'd To sink, as light, into her soft full eyes--A quiet smile, that told of happiness Her infant soul investing, as the bud Infolds the petals of the nascent rose. Born in one week, and in one font baptized, On the same festal day--they grew together, And their first tottering steps were hand in hand, While the two fathers, in half-earnest sport, Betroth'd them to each other. Then 'twas sweet For mother's ears, to hear them...