 | Sonnets and Fugitive Pieces |  |
2
TO MY SISTER MARY.
Sister! accept these lays: as yet I weenNo lay but mine has open'd with thy name;
I would I were a bard of mightier fame,
Then would this tribute of more price have been,
And thou hadst worn a costlier pledge, in sign
Of my deep love: My name is all unknown,
And daring not to venture forth alone
It fondly seeks companionship of thine—
And thou dost love me more than to believe
Thy brother's lay can furnish shame to thee:
Critics! be your dispraise from harshness free
And scornful gibe, nor give me cause to grieve,
For, if ye sternly say I cannot sing,
My Sister's name is on a shamed thing!
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