 | Songs of A Wayfarer |  |
XXV. THE OFFERING.
What shall I give thee? Pearls and coral treasure
Which in the secret depths of ocean glow:
Or roses that in greenest gardens grow:
Or scented hawthorn blossoms for thy pleasure?
Or shall I pluck the peach with gentle seizure,
That so its bloom a tenderer blush may know:
Or weave thee myrtle garlands for thy brow?
Ah, no; thy charms these gifts do far outmeasure;
They are but shadows of thy perfect beauty;
Thou not by them, but they by thee would gain:
For love doth languish bankrupt in thine eye,
And praises hang the head and pass thee by:—
Only thy parted sweets I bring again,
Reblossomed through a heart of loving duty.
Which in the secret depths of ocean glow:
Or roses that in greenest gardens grow:
Or scented hawthorn blossoms for thy pleasure?
Or shall I pluck the peach with gentle seizure,
That so its bloom a tenderer blush may know:
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Ah, no; thy charms these gifts do far outmeasure;
They are but shadows of thy perfect beauty;
Thou not by them, but they by thee would gain:
For love doth languish bankrupt in thine eye,
And praises hang the head and pass thee by:—
Only thy parted sweets I bring again,
Reblossomed through a heart of loving duty.
| Songs of A Wayfarer | |