Page:Felicia Hemans in The Court Magazine Volume III 1833.pdf/2

The Court Magazine, 1833, Volume III, Pages 45-46

SUMMER SONGS, BY MRS. HEMANS.

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I.—A SONG OF THE ROSE.

Hast thou no fears, O thou exulting thing;
Thus looking forth on life? Is there no spell
In the strong wind to tame thee? Thou hast yet
To learn harsh lessons from the changeful hours,
And bow thy stately head submissively
Unto a heavy touch; for here, bright shape!
Thy resting-place is not.

Rose, what dost thou here?
    Bridal, royal Rose!
How, 'midst grief and fear,
    Canst thou thus disclose

That fervid hue of love which to thy heart-leaf glows?

Rose! too much arrayed
    For triumphal hours,
Look'st thou through the shade
    Of these mortal bowers,

Not to disturb my soul, thou crowned one of all flowers!

As an eagle soaring
    Through a sunny sky,
As a clarion pouring
    Strains of victory,

So dost thou kindle thoughts, for earthly doom too high!

Thoughts of rapture, flushing
    Youthful poet's cheek;
Thoughts of glory rushing
    Forth in song to break;

But finding the spring-tide of rapid song too weak.