 | Areytos or songs and ballads of the South |  |
148
[II. Yet why the portrait? If to thee as me]
Yet why the portrait? If to thee as me,That Past be still a memory of delight,
And Love and Faith, with hands for ever free,
Brought goodly fruits; and these were, in thy sight,
A precious boon of blessing, such as still
Recalls their perish'd blossoms with a thrill,
Even while the winter, with an aspect chill,
Takes absolute place upon thy lonely hearth:
Then do I sit with thee beside the fire;
Share all thy solitude; help thee to thy mirth;
And smile with thee to see the glooms retire:
If such my presence in thy heart's desire,
Such the keen quickening of thy soul with mine,
What need my portrait? I need none of thine!
| Areytos or songs and ballads of the South | |