Sungleams and Shadows [Poems]

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1881 edition. Excerpt: ... THE LILY. 33 When lands lie fallow, Nature's force is rife; Upon her couch, the earth is taking rest, The Winter sleeps, that spring-time, fresh with life, May rear her flowers, and be with joyance blest. The bird, of shrivelled leaves, makes cosiest nest. Without the setting comes no rising sun; And night shows not her stars till day is done! The bitter draught, more welcome makes the sweet; Forgiveness hath no virtue, without wrong; The slow wayfarer tireth out the fleet; And he thinks deepest, with a silent tongue; The bird that sings is captured for its song; While those that mute be, know no captive's pain; And humblest souls, the highest heavens gain. Harborne, December, 14th. 1870. THE LILY. TO TOTTIE. See'st thou the pretty fairy curl Of this sweet lily, named the " Queen " 1 Each odorous petal is a pearl Set round a heart of gold and green. So be thou too, a vestal white, And incense bearer of the light, c THE THREE GRACES. Deborah Dove, and Josephine, Tripping o'er the village green, Oh! how beautiful the pair! And the maids are debonair. Deborah's a proud brunette, Josephine a blonde coquette; Fairy twins! now tell to me Which my favourite will be? Fairer than the summer-sheen, Is the lovely Josephine; With a blue, bewitching eye, Changing ever, like the sky. Deborah's lustre is the light Of the levin in the night; Flashing with as fine a scorn As an eagle's in the morn. Josephine has slender hands, Delicate as lily-wands; Lips, as the carnation sweet; And the daintiest of feet. Deborah is firmly knit, Strong of hand, and keen of wit; And, unmoved as Mona's rock, Braves the fiercest tempest-shock. WORSHIP. 35 Deborah Dove, and Josephine, Two such maids are rarely seen;-Deborah, the dark brunette, Josephine, the blonde...