Page:The Poets and Poetry of the West.djvu/438

422 AUSTIN T. EARLE. [1840-50. Yet sister Sue did nothing do, But look and listen, sigh and yawn, " This winter night, ah me ! 'tis dreary." Young Watch who in his kennel kept, Commenced with all his might to bark — Then on the porch we heard a step — Then sister to me whispered — " Hark" — Then heard a knocking at the door — Then bade come in — and came young Leary, And sister Sue had much to do. And never thought, I ween, once more, " This winter night, ah me ! 'tis dreary." A MAY SONG. Though darksome clouds and chilling winds. Thou bringest often with thee. May, No month more welcome from me finds, Or fills my heart with thoughts more gay ; For twin thou art with balmy June, The merriest month of all the year, When nature's harps are all atune. And blossoms every where appear. And dear thou art, sweet month, to me. As emblem of my lovely May, Whose smiles, as thine, can sunny be, Or frowns as chilling any day ; For twin to me, as thou to June, Is she, the fairest damsel hei-e ; Though maidens throng each gay saloon, Who matchless in then* bloom appear. All changeful wiles and willful airs, That thou canst on a sudden take. My Mary with thee frequent shares, Yet ne'er my constancy can shake ; For well I know that, night or noon. Her love is mine from year to year, And Heaven kind, can grant no boon Than her sweet love, to me more dear. Then welcome, welcome changeling May, No month more welcome from me finds, Though thou shouldst coquette many a day With darksome clouds and chilling winds : For twin thou art to balmy June, The poet month of all the year, When nature's harps are all atune. And blossoms eveiy where appear. THE FAIR PENITENT. So young, so sweet, so meek and fair. She seemed to be almost divine ; As lowly then, she knelt her there, Beside Saint Mary's ruin'd shrine ; And offered up a sincere prayer, From heart as pure, fair maid, as thine. No passion thrilled her gentle breast, For all was fair and calm within; And yet she lowly there confess'd, What seemed to her young mind a sin ; For oft of late she had transgress'd, In dreaming of young Marmadin. TO MY BROTHER MAN. Brother, tell me what art thou. Idle, careless, onward straying. Still thy trust of time betraying. Thoughtless when, or where, or how? Aimless as the weeds at sea. Drifting as the wind is blowing, Drifting as the tide is flowing, Heedless to eternity? Pause then, brother, while you may ; While thy heart with joy is beating, While thy friends are kindly greeting, Calmly then the world survey.