And calmly brook the chilling frown, That scorns devotion true as mine ;-Because "I love my love," and I 66 Must love her, ever, till I die? No-if the fervent faith of years To fawn, to flatter still, and sue- Beneath yon Heaven's broad arch of blue: 66 And yet "I love my love," and I Will love her, ever, till I die! But if a simple tale of truth- Of honest and warm-hearted love, With every fibre woven, from youth, May not suffice her heart to move- I will not seek to win it more; I then no further wooing may; I have of vows no other store, Than only this--to feel and say That still "I love my love," and I Will love her, ever, till I die! TO HER OF THE HAZEL EYE. "A form of life and light; Her eyes as stars of twilight fair, But all things else about her, drawn From May-time, and the cheerful dawn; A dancing shape, an image gay, To haunt, to startle, and waylay!" WORDSWORTH. MAIDEN of the hazel eye, Fawn-like step, and raven hair— Where a thousand graces lie, Wild and wanton as the air; By the brightness of those eyes, Heart, from shade of passion free; By thy pure and gentle mind, By lovers ever breathed in song, I have feelings hopes and fears, When to love was not a crime, Did I vent them not in rhyme: I have penned such hastily,— Feeling warm, comes cold thought after !— And thou readest them to me, Maiden fair, with jest and laughter! Maiden! 'tis a weary world! Filled with pain, and grief, and sorrow; Where smiles joy to-day-unfurled, Sorrow's wings may brood to-morrow: "He who never felt a wound, At another's scars may jest," Soon or later, will be found, Some stray dart to pierce his breast: And since sorrow comes to all, Yet think, maiden! not, that I, Then no other may thy rhymes Read thee, as thou read'st me mine! AN EPISTLE TO KATE. "You are called plain Kate, And bonny Kate, and sometimes Kate the curs'd! TAMING OF THE SHREW. FULL five long years, my fairest Kate, And you are now "a flirt," and I'm Kind Heaven knows-aught but broken-hearted! Five years ago! and I had been Of your sweet self a chance beholder; You then were sunny "fair fifteen," And I, perchance, some five years older: |