LINES TO ———.
SWEET friend, are you lonely? O let me unfold
My thoughts, while the sun sets in purple and gold;
While the oriole warbles her wild evening lay,
To you a slight tribute I feel I must pay.
Though sad recollection embitters the hour,
It may be cheered somewhat by sympathy's power;
E'en while I attempt a communion so dear,
Your presence seems drawing already quite near.
My thoughts, while the sun sets in purple and gold;
While the oriole warbles her wild evening lay,
To you a slight tribute I feel I must pay.
Though sad recollection embitters the hour,
It may be cheered somewhat by sympathy's power;
E'en while I attempt a communion so dear,
Your presence seems drawing already quite near.
If you will allow me, in rhyme I will tell
Of a drive that we took through the green grove and dell;
The sky was so clear, and the trees all in bloom,
How much I enjoyed—may I tell you with whom?
You may, perchance, call this a romance of mine,
And say, if I am to be earnest, 'tis time;
But stronger with years grows my love and desire
To wander 'mid nature, her works to admire.
Of a drive that we took through the green grove and dell;
The sky was so clear, and the trees all in bloom,
How much I enjoyed—may I tell you with whom?
You may, perchance, call this a romance of mine,
And say, if I am to be earnest, 'tis time;
But stronger with years grows my love and desire
To wander 'mid nature, her works to admire.
And, too, with a loved one to roam by my side,
To listen while I all my pleasures confide,
Or, if I am silent, I'm well understood,
By quite comprehending each varying mood;
Such friends are, you know, very scarce; but a charm
Is added to life. O, how peaceful and calm
Would glide, ever glide it so tranquilly on;
Not a tear would then flow, not a sigh would be drawn.
To listen while I all my pleasures confide,
Or, if I am silent, I'm well understood,
By quite comprehending each varying mood;
Such friends are, you know, very scarce; but a charm
Is added to life. O, how peaceful and calm
Would glide, ever glide it so tranquilly on;
Not a tear would then flow, not a sigh would be drawn.
When seated beside such an one—understand—
We crossed over bridges, and drove to the strand,
And halted there, near to a rampart of old;
The story—how sacred—our history has told;
Though reared in good faith it has gone to decay;
And where are our fathers who fell? where are they?
Their period is passed, and their life's crimson hue
Has mingled its streams with the bay's liquid blue.
We crossed over bridges, and drove to the strand,
And halted there, near to a rampart of old;
The story—how sacred—our history has told;
Though reared in good faith it has gone to decay;
And where are our fathers who fell? where are they?
Their period is passed, and their life's crimson hue
Has mingled its streams with the bay's liquid blue.
We planned for the future, and spoke of the past,
And wished that the present much longer might last,
And when interrupted, united above—
For this was an hour devoted to love.
The stoics may smile or condemn, if they choose,
But such a bright hour they would care not to lose;
Alas! they are fleeting—such blessings as these,
They fade like the blossoms that fall from the trees.
And wished that the present much longer might last,
And when interrupted, united above—
For this was an hour devoted to love.
The stoics may smile or condemn, if they choose,
But such a bright hour they would care not to lose;
Alas! they are fleeting—such blessings as these,
They fade like the blossoms that fall from the trees.
They leave their impressions on heart and on mind,
But still these impressions are not well defined;
We know they have been; but they passed quick away,
Like fragrance from flowers which bloom for a day;
Superior they who can rise above care,
And revel in beauties the seasons may wear,
And worship the Being who gave these their birth,
Diffusing His treasures so rich o'er the earth.
But still these impressions are not well defined;
We know they have been; but they passed quick away,
Like fragrance from flowers which bloom for a day;
Superior they who can rise above care,
And revel in beauties the seasons may wear,
And worship the Being who gave these their birth,
Diffusing His treasures so rich o'er the earth.
The ride; I'll resume the same subject again,
Sometime when I feel I can better explain,
Or paint you the picture in colors so gay,
You'll fancy you, too, have been with us to-day;
I'll show you then where the vine festoons the wall,
The fairy-like arbors, o'er sweet-brier and all;
The beds of blue violets, and buttercups, too,
Where the morning sun wanders to drink up the dew;
Sometime when I feel I can better explain,
Or paint you the picture in colors so gay,
You'll fancy you, too, have been with us to-day;
I'll show you then where the vine festoons the wall,
The fairy-like arbors, o'er sweet-brier and all;
The beds of blue violets, and buttercups, too,
Where the morning sun wanders to drink up the dew;
And palaces shaded by elm-tree and pine,
Where gems from our forests and tropics combine
To lend their enchantment to eye and to heart,
The grand and the picturesque softened by art.
I must close. I will seal with the ring that you gave;
Its motto I. fear I may fail to engrave
On you—I ask pardon; it is useless to tell—
Beloved, I must leave you; farewell, O, farewell.
Where gems from our forests and tropics combine
To lend their enchantment to eye and to heart,
The grand and the picturesque softened by art.
I must close. I will seal with the ring that you gave;
Its motto I. fear I may fail to engrave
On you—I ask pardon; it is useless to tell—
Beloved, I must leave you; farewell, O, farewell.