University of Virginia Library


275

A Greeting.

It were not well to vex thee with my praises,
Yet am I quick to read thy gifts aright;
Loving, sincere, and wise,—in three best phases,
Young heart, I note thy characters of light:
Spirits are keen to make such instant guesses
For time is nothing to the Soul that lives;
Therefore my spirit thy good spirit blesses,
Therefore my Mind its cordial greeting gives,—
Its greeting?—of a moment, sad to tell,
For all my greeting is a true Farewell!