I folded her soft hands upon her bosom, And strewed my flowers upon her, — they still live: Sometimes I like to kiss her closed white eyelids, And think of all the joy she used to give. Cruel indeed it were to take her from me; I do not think that any smiling Present, Leave her at least: while my tears fall upon her, A DOUBTING HEART. HERE are the swallows fled? Frozen and dead, Perchance upon some bleak and stormy shore. O doubting heart! Far over purple seas, They wait, in sunny case, The balmy southern breeze, To bring them to their northern homes once more. Why must the flowers die? Prisoned they lie In the cold tomb, heedless of tears or rain. The soft white ermine snow, To breathe and smile upon you soon again. The sun has hid its rays Will dreary hours never leave the earth? The stormy clouds on high That soon (for spring is nigh) Shall wake the summer into golden mirth. Fair hope is dead, and light Is quenched in night. What sound can break the silence of despair? O doubting heart! Thy sky is overcast, Yet stars shall rise at last, Brighter for darkness past, And angels' silver voices stir the air. A STUDENT. VER an ancient scroll I bent, I wove beneath the stars' pale shine I read; until my heart would glow On the old theme I pondered long, — I tried to solve the problem - Life; I strove how best to give, and when, Now Time has fled the world is strange, I miss the sunbeams in my room The great stream of the world goes by; No echo seems to wake again A KNIGHT ERRANT. HOUGH he lived and died among us, Still a stripling, he encountered Till he knew his arm was strong. Then his heart and life he offered To his radiant mistress - Truth; Never thought, or dream, or faltering, Marred the promise of his youth. So he rode forth to defend her, And her peerless worth proclaim; Challenging each recreant doubter Who aspersed her spotless name. First upon his path stood Ignorance, Then, with light and fearless spirit, To her black sulphureous cave. Followed by his servile minions, Then he turned, and, flushed with victory, Once again he rose a conqueror, And, though wounded in the fight, With a dying smile of triumph Saw that Truth had gained her right. |