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FORMAL VERSES.

I.

Mother of all my future memories,
  Mistress of my new life, which but to-day
Began, when I beheld, deep in your eyes,
My own love mirrored and the warm surprise
  Of the first kiss swept both our souls away,

Your love has freed me; for I was oppressed
  By my own devil, whose unwholesome breath
Tarnished my youth, leaving to me at best
Age lacking comfort of a soul at rest
  And weariness beyond the hope of death.


II.

Ah, those were days of silent happiness!
  I never spoke, and had no need to speak,
  While on the windy down-land, cheek by cheek,
The slow-driven sun beheld us. Each caress
Had oratory for its own defence;
And when I kissed or felt her fingers press,
  I envied not Demosthenes his Greek,
Nor Tully for his Latin eloquence.