Zinzendorff and Other Poems/On the Death of a Lady at Havana, whither she went for her Health
ON THE DEATH OF A LADY AT HAVANA, WHITHER SHE WENT FOR HER HEALTH.
Ye say that with a smile she past
Forth from her hallow'd bower,
That her dark eye strange brilliance cast,
To gild the parting hour;
That on her cheek with radiance rare
A kindling flush did burn,
Ye view'd it as the promise fair
Of health and glad return.
In many a fond and friendly breast
Did parting sorrows stir,
And many a lip with trembling blest
That lovely voyager;
Light sped the white sail o'er the wave,
And gathering to her side,
True hearts that strove to shield and save,
Her every wish supplied.
And still upon that tossing sea,
Her idol boy was near,
And tunefully his caroll'd glee
Fell on a mother's ear;
And well his glance its joy exprest
To watch the sea-bird's flight,
Or trace amid the billow's crest
The phosphorescent light.
They sought that Isle, by beam and breeze,
In changeless beauty drest,
Where the "world-seeking Genoese"
Doth find a peaceful rest;
But there where Winter's tempest gloom
Hath never dar'd to roll,
Where Nature's flowers profusely bloom,
Went down that flower of soul.
And far within her native west
Where glorious foliage waves,
And where in recent verdure drest,
Are seen her kindred graves,
The memory of her cradle-sleep,
Her childhood's glowing charms,
Her ripen'd virtues, rich and deep,
Affection's tear embalms.
Yet let not mourning Love despair,
Within these smitten shades,
The cypress wreath hath blossoms fair
Of hope that never fades;
'Twas her's to bless the haunts of pain,
To love the good and wise,
And lightly chasten'd, rise to gain
The bliss that never dies.