Daisies of Verse (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. 1886 Excerpt: ...NEVER NOW. A FANTASY. There's mist on the face of morning, And over the marriage vow A drift of Eolian sadness Sweeps, murmuring, "never now." Far into the noonday sweetness Of love's blest garner day, I hear, with regret's completeness, A dear heart's broken lay. Again in the perfumed glowing Of orange-blossomed light, I smile at the guests outgoing From our reception night. I smile, and the farewells utter; Wishes that fall like dew On bridal petals, flutter And rest on bound lives true. A strong hand clasps and claims me, --He lingered beyond the rest; Though the midnight hours are breaking, I sit at his still behest, NEVER NOW. And listen to late the story I would not hear before; He whispers, love's sweet glory Can touch him never more. He gives me his parting blessing At last, when the talk is done; He trembles, --and I speak softly Of fair maids yet unwon. There is pain in his eyes desponding, The red blood leaves his brow, And his pale lips twitch, responding, "Having loved thee--never now." I turn to the warmth of love-fires, And he to the winter blast. I turn to my chosen shelter: He is alone to the last. In years, that ripen and gather Our hopes into silver sheaves, I beg the Lord to remember The bruised and broken leaves; To give them high expansion, That they were crowded here, And allow our sheaves, the richest, To them for endless cheer. THE AUTUMN PARABLE. The high noon bloom and fragrance done, Dame Nature sows the seeds Of color caught from summer's sun, Of beautiful vines that smile and run, And, freer than all, of weeds. She never neglects a wayside plain, Which we by chance forget When drilling with care our cultured grain, And sighing because the drouth and rain Will come the wrong time yet. She plants the carrot and ...