Poems by George P. Morris :: :: University of Virginia Library

Poems by George P. Morris

with a memoir of the author

Morris, George Pope (1802-1864)

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327

[Once, mild and gentle was my heart ]

SONG—KARL.

[_]

(German air.)

Once, mild and gentle was my heart!
My youth from guile was free!
But when love's bonds were torn apart,
What joy had life for me?
No words, no threats could daunt my soul,
My reckless spirit spurned control
Till swayed by smiles from thee!

A wanderer o'er the desert sand,
An outcast on the sea,
An exile from my native land—
What 's all the world to me?
Each friend misfortune proved a foe:
I scorned the high—despised the low—
Till swayed by smiles from thee!