 | Specimens of American poetry |  |
WILLIAM CRAFTS
RAPIDS IN LOVE.
There are rapids in love, but they fall as they flow,
Thus pleasure inhabits the bodies of wo,
And the tears of their union though sunbeams illume,
They meet in the rainbow, and part in the gloom.
Thus pleasure inhabits the bodies of wo,
And the tears of their union though sunbeams illume,
They meet in the rainbow, and part in the gloom.
There are rapids in love, but they must be past o'er
By those who will not be confined to the shore;
Even danger has charms when it points to delight,
And morning is lovelier for following night.
By those who will not be confined to the shore;
Even danger has charms when it points to delight,
And morning is lovelier for following night.
Let us risk the descent—our barks shall combine,
Our hopes and our hearts shall together incline:
Love beckons us on to the perilous wave,
One moment shall ruin us both, or shall save.
Our hopes and our hearts shall together incline:
Love beckons us on to the perilous wave,
One moment shall ruin us both, or shall save.
Protect us, ye stars of the fond and the true,
The dangers of lovers are sacred to you;
The rapids are over,—surviving, secure,
In the sea of delight our barks we will moor.
The dangers of lovers are sacred to you;
145
In the sea of delight our barks we will moor.
SERENADE SONG.
Beware the soft seducer;
Elude his silken snare,
And guard thy tender bosom
From anguish and despair.
Elude his silken snare,
And guard thy tender bosom
From anguish and despair.
Believe him not, young lady!
Though by the stars he swear;
The night is past! already
The stars do disappear.
Though by the stars he swear;
The night is past! already
The stars do disappear.
But there is one remaining,
The morning star alone,
Just like a maid complaining
When all her hopes are gone.
The morning star alone,
Just like a maid complaining
When all her hopes are gone.
| Specimens of American poetry | |