 | Verses of a life time |  |
234
A SKETCH.
The gay saloon was thronged with grace and beauty,
While brilliant rays shone out on lovely eyes,
And lovely eyes look'd forth a clearer beam.
While brilliant rays shone out on lovely eyes,
And lovely eyes look'd forth a clearer beam.
Fashion was there—not in her flaunting robes,
Lavish of charms—but that fair sprite, who moulds
All to her touch, yet leaves it nature still.
Lavish of charms—but that fair sprite, who moulds
All to her touch, yet leaves it nature still.
The light young laugh came reed-like on the ear,
Touching the chord of joy, electrical;
And smiles, too graceful for a sound, pass'd out
From ruby lips, like perfume from a flower.
Touching the chord of joy, electrical;
And smiles, too graceful for a sound, pass'd out
From ruby lips, like perfume from a flower.
Catching the gracious word of courtesy,
The listening maid turn'd to the speaker's eye;
And bowing in his honor'd lowliness,
His manly head inclin'd to her slight form.
The listening maid turn'd to the speaker's eye;
And bowing in his honor'd lowliness,
His manly head inclin'd to her slight form.
There was a hum of social harmony,
“Like the soft south” upon the rushing seas.
Between its pauses, burst the harp's rich tone,
Pour'd out by one, who fill'd the Poet's eye
With fond fruition of his classic dream.
“Like the soft south” upon the rushing seas.
Between its pauses, burst the harp's rich tone,
Pour'd out by one, who fill'd the Poet's eye
With fond fruition of his classic dream.
235
A voice was there—clear and distinct it rose
Like evening's star when other stars are dim:—
Clear, sweet and lonely, as that southern bird's
Who on far turrets trills his midnight lay.
In the heart's cavern, deep that voice went down,
Waking up echoes of the silent past.
Like evening's star when other stars are dim:—
Clear, sweet and lonely, as that southern bird's
Who on far turrets trills his midnight lay.
In the heart's cavern, deep that voice went down,
Waking up echoes of the silent past.
O, woman! lovely in thy beauty's power!
Thrice lovely, when we know that thou canst turn
To duty's path, and tread it with a smile.
Thrice lovely, when we know that thou canst turn
To duty's path, and tread it with a smile.
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