This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
318
THE RING-DOVES.
And, from happy musings caught,
Uttering many a pleasant thought,
That, with an enchanting power,
Sweetens still the passing hour.

Ah! to us the earth was bright,
With a golden flush of light;
And the skies were very fair,
And the flowers exceeding rare.
All the world was bright without,
Scowled within no shade of doubt
Heaven we saw with mortal eyes,
Earth to us was paradise!

How I miss her when the light
Brings no gladness to my sight;
When the calm and stilly eve
Sees me sit alone and grieve!
When the world, unkind in part,
Cast its shadows on my heart;
Miss her in the midnight lone,
With her dear arm round me thrown!

Ring-doves, nestling side by side,
In the pleasant eventide,
Yet a little time and ye
Shall no longer slug to me;