 | My Mind and its Thoughts, in Sketches, Fragments, and Essays |  |
182
STANZAS,
TO A RECENTLY UNITED HUSBAND.
In vain, upon that hand reclined,
I call each plighted worth my own,
Or rising to thy sovereign mind,
Say that it reigns for me alone.
I call each plighted worth my own,
Or rising to thy sovereign mind,
Say that it reigns for me alone.
Since, subject to its ardent sway,
How many hearts were left to weep,
To find the granted wish decay,
And the triumphant passion sleep?
How many hearts were left to weep,
To find the granted wish decay,
And the triumphant passion sleep?
Such were, of love the transient flame,
Which by the kindling senses led,
To every new attraction came,
And from the known endearment fled.
Which by the kindling senses led,
To every new attraction came,
And from the known endearment fled.
Unlike the gentle care that flows,
With all the blest affections give,
Unlike the generous hope that knows
But for a kinder self to live.
With all the blest affections give,
Unlike the generous hope that knows
But for a kinder self to live.
Was theirs the tender glance to speak
Timid, through many a sparkling tear,
The ever changing hue of cheek,
Its flush of joy—its chill of fear?
Timid, through many a sparkling tear,
The ever changing hue of cheek,
Its flush of joy—its chill of fear?
Or theirs the full expanded thought,
By taste and moral sense refined—
Each moment with instruction fraught,
The tutored elegance of mind?
By taste and moral sense refined—
Each moment with instruction fraught,
The tutored elegance of mind?
Be mine the sacred truth that dwells
On ONE, by kindred virtues known,
And mine, the chastened glance, which tells
That sacred truth to HIM alone.
On ONE, by kindred virtues known,
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That sacred truth to HIM alone.
No sordid hope's insidious guise,
No venal pleasure's serpent twine,
Invite those soul-illumined eyes,
And blend this feeling heart with thine.
No venal pleasure's serpent twine,
Invite those soul-illumined eyes,
And blend this feeling heart with thine.
| My Mind and its Thoughts, in Sketches, Fragments, and Essays | |