X. Written beneath a Picture. 1. DEAR object of defeated care! Though now of Love and thee bereft, To reconcile me with despair Thine image and my tears are left. 2. "Tis said with Sorrow Time can cope; But this I feel can ne'er be true: For by the death-blow of my Hope My Memory immortal grew. XI. On Parting. 1. THE kiss, dear maid! thy lip has left, Till happier hours restore the gift Untainted back to thine. 2. Thy parting glance, which fondly beams, An equal love may see: The tear that from thine eyelid streams Can weep no change in me. POEMS. 3. I ask no pledge to make me blest Nor one memorial for a breast, Whose thoughts are all thine own. 4. Nor need I write-to tell the tale Unless the heart could speak? 5. By day or night, in weal or woe, Must bear the love it cannot show, And silent ache for thee. XII. To Thyrza. WITHOUT a stone to mark the spot, And say, what Truth might well have said, By all, save one, perchance forgot, Ah, wherefore art thou lowly laid? By many a shore and many a sea To bid us meet-no-ne'er again! Who held, and holds thee in his heart? Oh! who like him had watch'd thee here? Or sadly mark'd thy glazing eye, Had flow'd as fast-as now they flow. Affection's mingling tears were ours? Ours too the glance none saw beside; The smile none else might understand; The whisper'd thought of hearts allied, The pressure of the thrilling hand; The kiss so guiltless and refin'd That Love each warmer wish forbore; Those eyes proclaim'd so pure a mind, Ev'n passion blush'd to plead for more. |