 | Lays of Leisure Hours |  |
468
THE ONLY CHARM.
I said unto myself of old
Now weakling heart—be strong—or still,
Arm thyself well—be calm and cold,
Forget to bound, to heave, and thrill.
Now weakling heart—be strong—or still,
Arm thyself well—be calm and cold,
Forget to bound, to heave, and thrill.
A dangerous thing it is to have
A heart so wild, so warm as mine,
I deemed I could all perils brave,
And hope and love and fear resign.
A heart so wild, so warm as mine,
I deemed I could all perils brave,
And hope and love and fear resign.
I deemed so, and forbore to shrink
In time from all I most should shun,
Still hovering near the flower-dressed brink
Till heart and hope were both undone.
In time from all I most should shun,
Still hovering near the flower-dressed brink
Till heart and hope were both undone.
469
For Oh! with feelings keen and warm,
So keen and warm as mine then were,
The only guard, the only charm
Is flight—'tis flight alone can spare!
So keen and warm as mine then were,
The only guard, the only charm
Is flight—'tis flight alone can spare!
For through suspense and through alarm,
Which haunt us in Life's clouded night,
The only guard, the only charm,
The only safety—is in flight!
Which haunt us in Life's clouded night,
The only guard, the only charm,
The only safety—is in flight!
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