96
SONNET.
That face—Oh! it is eloquent with love,
And bright with purity and holiness;
And yet it wears the sign of past distress,
A trace of sad thoughts, time may not remove.
The conflict has been there;—yes, dearest dreams
Have been resigned at duty's sacred call;
'T is past—that gentle heart has yielded all!
Yet hope and faith now shed then hallowed beams
Around the sufferer's brow; for the lost trust
Of earthly joy, th' Eternal glories shine,
Lighting that pale cheek with a heavenly grace;
Now conquered are the trials of the dust,
And past the bitter tears;—for dreams divine
Mingle with sorrow, in that calm, sweet face!
And bright with purity and holiness;
And yet it wears the sign of past distress,
A trace of sad thoughts, time may not remove.
The conflict has been there;—yes, dearest dreams
Have been resigned at duty's sacred call;
'T is past—that gentle heart has yielded all!
Yet hope and faith now shed then hallowed beams
Around the sufferer's brow; for the lost trust
Of earthly joy, th' Eternal glories shine,
Lighting that pale cheek with a heavenly grace;
Now conquered are the trials of the dust,
And past the bitter tears;—for dreams divine
Mingle with sorrow, in that calm, sweet face!
