University of Virginia Library


61

THE PORTRAIT.

That tranquil brow, and pensive eye,
Those parted lips of ruby dye;
Each grace that life and reason give,
Is kindling here, and seems to live!
A playful smile illumes the cheek!
Those rubies move!—'t will speak!—'t will speak!
'T was fancy all!—That senseless bone
Could ne'er be taught her dulcet tone;
No art can teach that eye to move,
Those ruby lips are dead to love.
Illusive dream!—too soon it flies,
The vision fades!—it dies!—it dies!