Poems (Rice)/Lines affectionately inscribed to Mrs. E. P.

by Maria Theresa Rice

LINES AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED TO MRS. E. P.

GENTLE lady, art thou singing
 Touching songs of love to-night,
Ever soothing, ever flinging
 All around me hues of light?
Light of hope and beauty blended,
 Light of joy and sadness too,—
Melody has never ended,
 Since my ear first bowed to you.

Gentle lady, you may wonder,
 Why I wish to list again
To those tones which seem to sunder
 Ties of earth. O I would fain,
Still on wings of fancy soaring,
 Yield my heart, my ear, my eye,
To your voice, your gift adoring,
 Yes, adoring till I die.

Gentle lady, you are holding
 Mystic keys to thrill the soul,
Finer hues of thought unfolding,
 Charming me beyond control;
Sacred chords, ah, who can fathom,
 Who can tell the depth of bliss
Planted in the human bosom?—
 Speak who can, and tell me this.

Gentle lady, precious flowers
 That are blooming round your heart,
Guide them to those heavenly bowers,
 Teach them well to act their part;
When you tell the evening story,
 How the Saviour them will bless,
If you sing His praise and glory,
 He will surely them caress.

Gentle lady, may sweet slumbers,
 Soothe your angel form to-night,
Blessings, in harmonious numbers,
 Greet you with the morning light;
Light of hope and beauty blended,
 Light of joy and pleasure, too,—
Melody has never ended,
 Since my ear first bowed to you.