TO DR. PERRY,WITH A CLUSTER OF VIOLETS, IN HIS LAST ILLNESS.
VIOLETS, these sweet violets! will they not soothe thy pain,
And bring the welcome hues of health back to thy cheek again?
I sought them with this pure desire, so lowly, gemmed with dew,
And hasten, ere their beauty dies, thy lonely couch to strew.
Though unpretending they may seem, 'tis all that I can bring;
However small the gift, ofttimes it may a magic fling
Around our hearts, about our paths, wherever we may go,
And these so simply beautiful, must bear a charm, I know.
And bring the welcome hues of health back to thy cheek again?
I sought them with this pure desire, so lowly, gemmed with dew,
And hasten, ere their beauty dies, thy lonely couch to strew.
Though unpretending they may seem, 'tis all that I can bring;
However small the gift, ofttimes it may a magic fling
Around our hearts, about our paths, wherever we may go,
And these so simply beautiful, must bear a charm, I know.
When arrested in life's walks by sudden grief or pain,
How kindly hast thou ministered till health returned again;
And now a balm of joy I'd bring to offer in return
For all thy counsels given me, that I relief might learn.
May these humble flowerets shed around their rich perfume,
Their mystic eloquence pervade thy heart, thy soul illume;
May each loving dream that's past their presence now recall,
Bid every pulse thrill with delight, till pain no more inthrall.
How kindly hast thou ministered till health returned again;
And now a balm of joy I'd bring to offer in return
For all thy counsels given me, that I relief might learn.
May these humble flowerets shed around their rich perfume,
Their mystic eloquence pervade thy heart, thy soul illume;
May each loving dream that's past their presence now recall,
Bid every pulse thrill with delight, till pain no more inthrall.
Could my sympathy avail, how gratefully I'd pour;
In tender offices of love thy feeble strength restore.
The desolation, agony! alas, I may not tell
How much is mingled in thy cup—on this I dare not dwell:
But ask of Him who reigns above, a blessing now to send,
To soothe thy anguish, cheer thy heart, thine every ill to mend;
May all the friends thou'st ever loved be dearer now to see—
Such lovely coronals of hope as these I bear to thee.
In tender offices of love thy feeble strength restore.
The desolation, agony! alas, I may not tell
How much is mingled in thy cup—on this I dare not dwell:
But ask of Him who reigns above, a blessing now to send,
To soothe thy anguish, cheer thy heart, thine every ill to mend;
May all the friends thou'st ever loved be dearer now to see—
Such lovely coronals of hope as these I bear to thee.