The adopted daughter and other tales |
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17. | LOVELY WOMAN. |
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The adopted daughter | ||
198
LOVELY WOMAN.
“A ministering angel thou.”
—Marmino.
Oh, say not that woman, divine in perfection,
On earth is so rare to be found;
There are eyes where a cherub might make his selection,
And tresses in innocence bound.
There are looks that could charm the wild beast of the mountain,
And smiles for a Paradise meet;
There are hearts that are pure as the stream of yon fountain,
And lips that ne'er utter deceit.
We've Virginias more fair than Italia's flower—
Lucretias the handmaids of truth—
With virtue their portion; more rich is the dower,
When blushing in beauty and youth.
And when life's stormy sea is tossed troublously over,
Oh, what doth our sorrows remove?
To friendship we fly not our peace to recover,
Our haven is dear woman's love.
Yes! the tongue which delights, all its richness outpouring
In sweet songs of love-breathing joy,
Sounds for aye in our ear, like the lark in its soaring,
Whose melody naught can destroy.
Then the glances unchanging, unerrant forever,
Shine bright as the sunbeam of morn;
E'en adversity fails the dear link to dissever;
She laughs the intruder to scorn.
On earth is so rare to be found;
There are eyes where a cherub might make his selection,
And tresses in innocence bound.
There are looks that could charm the wild beast of the mountain,
And smiles for a Paradise meet;
There are hearts that are pure as the stream of yon fountain,
And lips that ne'er utter deceit.
We've Virginias more fair than Italia's flower—
Lucretias the handmaids of truth—
With virtue their portion; more rich is the dower,
When blushing in beauty and youth.
And when life's stormy sea is tossed troublously over,
Oh, what doth our sorrows remove?
To friendship we fly not our peace to recover,
Our haven is dear woman's love.
Yes! the tongue which delights, all its richness outpouring
In sweet songs of love-breathing joy,
Sounds for aye in our ear, like the lark in its soaring,
Whose melody naught can destroy.
Then the glances unchanging, unerrant forever,
Shine bright as the sunbeam of morn;
E'en adversity fails the dear link to dissever;
She laughs the intruder to scorn.
The adopted daughter | ||