Page:The Poets and Poetry of the West.djvu/636

MAHY R, T. M'AYOY. The letters " M. R. M." are well known to the readers of the Louisville Journal, the Memphis Enquirer, The Genius of the West, and Challen's Illustrated Monthly, published in Philadelphia. They represent Mary R. T. McAvoy, of Pai'is, Bourbon county, Kentucky, who, since 1850, has written very pleasant poems for the newspa- pers and magazines mentioned. MADELEINE. The moon is up — the night is waning fast. My boat is anchored by the pebbled shore, And I have lingered here to look my last, Upon the home that may be ours no more ; To keep again an old familiar tryste. To clasp thy gentle hand once more in mine, And braid thy hair with flowers by night- dews kiss'd, While o'er thy uptui-ned brow the young stars shine, Madeleine. Dost thou recall to-night the beauteous time, When in these fragrant woods I met thee first : While faintly fell the vesper's holy chime, Thy maiden charms upon my vision burst. The sun was setting in a golden glow, His parting glance beamed bright on flow- er and tree ; A roseate hue had tinged the mountain snow, But these were naught, for thou wert all to me, Madeleine. How oft to me, upon the battle's eve, That picture of the past comes floating by. And then my inmost spirit doth receive The tender glances of thy soul-lit eye. The west wind dallies with thy mantle's fold. Beneath the arch where myrtle branches meet, And softly fans thy ringlet's wavy gold, That almost ripple to thy tiny feet, Madeleine. And then I hear the full, majestic swell. Of the deep organ in the old church aisle. And thy dear voice that softly rose and fell, More sweet to me than seraph's tone the while ; I start to hear the cannon's booming sound, The clash of steel upon the deep mid sea. The conflict's roar the anthem notes have drowned. The war-cloud dimmed that vision bless'd of thee, Madeleine. Yet pledge once more, dear love, before we part, While o'er thy upturned brow the young stars shine. In fearless faith, to me, thy guileless heart, Ere sails our ship across the foaming brine. (620)