 | The Poetical Works of James Gates Percival |  |
[XIX. Once I saw, in pride of beauty]
Once I saw, in pride of beauty,
Full unveiled, a golden flower;
Sweetest perfume flowed around it:
It was evening's winning hour.
Full unveiled, a golden flower;
Sweetest perfume flowed around it:
It was evening's winning hour.
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I approached the splendid blossom,
Kissed its bosom, softly swelling;
But no odors breathed around it,
Though it seemed their chosen dwelling.
Kissed its bosom, softly swelling;
But no odors breathed around it,
Though it seemed their chosen dwelling.
By this blossom bloomed unseen,
Low in shade, a milder flower;
Pale its cheek and wet its eye,
Bathed in evening's dewy shower.
Low in shade, a milder flower;
Pale its cheek and wet its eye,
Bathed in evening's dewy shower.
O'er the lonely flower I hung,—
Thence the sweets that filled the air:
To that gentle flower I clung,—
Pale, yet seemed it more than fair.
Thence the sweets that filled the air:
To that gentle flower I clung,—
Pale, yet seemed it more than fair.
| The Poetical Works of James Gates Percival | |