Dramatic Scenes :: :: University of Virginia Library

You who dwell in upper air,
Young and fair!
Here is one who loveth; take her to your care.
Beauty and the light of honour
Wears she like a crown upon her,
Grace around her whitest neck is hung:
Music, sadder now than came
When seraphs touched her lips with flame,
Sigheth from her tongue;
And her eyes that once were bright,
Dazzling on the aching sight,
Fading are, like summer evening fading into night.

Many love her, but her bosom
Warmeth unto one unknown;
Knows he what a wondrous treasure
Back upon her heart is thrown?
Or the pain beyond a measure
Borne for him alone?

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Bid him come, where'er he linger;
Whisper in his charmèd ear,
What a sad sweet beauteous singer
Liveth,—dieth for him here.

You who dwell in upper air,
Fair and young, bright as fair,
Star-like,—lamp-like hung on high,
Angel stars that never die!
Disappearing, but returning,
In your constant season burning;
In the sightless ether hung,
Like to random jewels flung
On the forehead of the sky;
Look on her with all your brightness,
Bid her heart resume its lightness;
Tell her there are hopes above her,
Tell her of a world to love her,
Bind the sweet wreath Hope, that hath no thorn, around her;
So may joys arise
And light her happy eyes,
Till Love hath kissed the bride, and orange blooms have crowned her!