University of Virginia Library

CHARLOTTE.

Thou wast fair and thou wast fickle,
And thy love was like a sickle,
Charlotte!
Keen and cold, and finding fuel
Ever in a pastime cruel,
Charlotte!
Yet I loved thy blemished blossom,
Bade thee welcome to my bosom,
Charlotte!
For I hoped the blight would perish,
Leaving beauty I could cherish,
Charlotte!

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So I made thy portals pleasant,
Made a Paradise the present,
Charlotte!
Smoothed thy way, the journey lightened,
All thy hours with music brightened
Charlotte!
Flowers and fruits for thee I treasured,
Nought I offered thee was measured,
Charlotte!
Winds of care I strove to banish,
Bade the clouds of trouble vanish,
Charlotte!
Then I left thee to the trial
Of one little hour's denial,
Charlotte!
Left to find my visions scattered,
Home and hope and gladness shattered,
Charlotte!
Now I dream of thee at seasons,
Dream forgetting all thy treasons,
Charlotte!
In my sleep the byegone living,
Perjury and shame forgiving,
Charlotte!
And I fancy that thy beauty,
Still is loyal unto duty,
Charlotte!
That the days with dew are tender.
And thy spring has yet its splendour,
Charlotte!
Have I lost thee, have I found thee?
Are my weary arms around thee,
Charlotte?
Then I waken from my visions,
To my darkened heart's derisions,
Charlotte!
Thou art fallen—lie and languish,
Thou art spotted—spare no anguish,
Charlotte!
Pass from all the hopes I cherish,
Pass into the night and perish,
Harlot!