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University of Virginia Library

Poems: By Menella Bute Smedley

Smedley, Menella Bute (1819 or 20-1877)

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THE LITTLE FAIR SOUL.

WAITING FOR THE TIDE.

“WIND ME A SUMMER CROWN,” SHE SAID.

“ONCE UPON A TIME.”

A GIRL'S LOVE-SONG.

WHEN THE NEWS ABOUT THE ‘TRENT’ CAME.

“WINDY AND GREY THE MORNING.”

OUR WELCOME TO GARIBALDI.

IN THE MEANTIME.

A PLEA FOR BEAUTY.

WHAT WE MAY SEE.

ON THE DEATH OF PRINCE ALBERT.

WHAT HEAREST THOU?

EREMOS AND EUDÆMON.

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I.

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IV.

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II.

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VI.

VII.

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III.

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V.

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SCENE II.—Lady Grace's Library.

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TWO EARLY POEMS.

THE MOTHER'S LESSON.

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ODIN'S SACRIFICE.

The Priest's Speech.

The Priest's Speech continued.

The Decree of Odin.

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“Man of blood, thou hast strangely erred,
If Odin's will aright was heard;
Not dear, but dearest was his quest,
The King must give the god his best.
Away from the innocent babe! away!
I am the victim thy sword must slay.
I am the love of his youth; we changed
Hearts which no after-chill estranged;
I am the wife of his bosom; see,
His cheek is losing its glow for me,
The light grows dim in his eagle eye,
His brow forgetteth its royalty.
I am the dearest, for I can chase
The soul of strength from the hero's face;
Look how he shrinks! how pale, how wild!
He changed not thus when you touched his child!”