The Poetical Works of George Barlow In Ten [Eleven] Volumes |
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| VI. |
| VII. |
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| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXII. |
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| X. |
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 | The Poetical Works of George Barlow |  |
192
XVI.
SOFT EYES
Soft eyes of women many have I seen,—
But none so soft, so wonderful, so fair:
Locks have I kissed of golden and brown hair,
Lips have I kissed of many a rose-sweet queen,
But never any locks or lips, I ween,
Can with thy sacred tresses, or the rare
And perfect mouth that quivered once, compare:
The same eyes glance,—but now with tenderer sheen.
But none so soft, so wonderful, so fair:
Locks have I kissed of golden and brown hair,
Lips have I kissed of many a rose-sweet queen,
But never any locks or lips, I ween,
Can with thy sacred tresses, or the rare
And perfect mouth that quivered once, compare:
The same eyes glance,—but now with tenderer sheen.
Gazing in awe, I see my song therein,
And all its sorrows, all its joy as well
Reflected: in the face I sought to win,
For which I climbed to heaven, and traversed hell,
I see the recompence for what hath been,
More sweet, more pure, more grand, than tongue can tell.
And all its sorrows, all its joy as well
Reflected: in the face I sought to win,
For which I climbed to heaven, and traversed hell,
I see the recompence for what hath been,
More sweet, more pure, more grand, than tongue can tell.
Christmas Day, 1876.
| The Poetical Works of George Barlow | |