The coronal a collection of miscellaneous pieces, written at various times |
ADDRESS TO THE VALENTINE
PAINTED BY W. ALLSTON, IN THE POSSESSION OF
GEORGE TICKNOR, ESQ. |
 | The coronal |  |
78
ADDRESS TO THE VALENTINE
PAINTED BY W. ALLSTON, IN THE POSSESSION OF
GEORGE TICKNOR, ESQ.
What are thy thoughts, thou placid one?
Thy glance is mild as evening sun;
Holy and bright the lucid beam,
As love and hope were in thy dream.
Calm are thy feelings—still and deep
As seraph's joy, or infant's sleep.
Not thine the British Sappho's eye,[1]
With love's volcano blazing high:
Flush'd cheek and passion-stricken brow,
Are not for one so pure as thou;
Thou 'rt not a thing all smiles and tears,
Wasting thy soul in hopes and fears;
Yet thou, sweet maiden, can'st not hide
Affection's deep and noiseless tide.
A sadden'd hue is on thy cheek—
Thy thoughtful look is still and meek;
And well I know that young Love flings
A shadow from his purple wings.
'Tis sad to think life's sunlight gleam
May leave thee, like a morning dream.
Can brows so gentle and so fair,
Be early mark'd by with'ring care?
Thy glance is mild as evening sun;
Holy and bright the lucid beam,
As love and hope were in thy dream.
Calm are thy feelings—still and deep
As seraph's joy, or infant's sleep.
Not thine the British Sappho's eye,[1]
With love's volcano blazing high:
Flush'd cheek and passion-stricken brow,
Are not for one so pure as thou;
Thou 'rt not a thing all smiles and tears,
Wasting thy soul in hopes and fears;
Yet thou, sweet maiden, can'st not hide
Affection's deep and noiseless tide.
A sadden'd hue is on thy cheek—
Thy thoughtful look is still and meek;
And well I know that young Love flings
A shadow from his purple wings.
'Tis sad to think life's sunlight gleam
May leave thee, like a morning dream.
Can brows so gentle and so fair,
Be early mark'd by with'ring care?
79
Ah! listen to the plaintive tone
O'er all Felicia's[2] music thrown!
Heaven spare thee the thrilling sigh,
That wakes her harp to melody!
There's subtle power in every line
Of that bewitching Valentine;
If once within the throbbing heart,
Nor time, nor change, bids it depart,
And seldom it's a quiet guest,
In woman's fond, devoted breast.
New thoughts may fire the weary brain,
But hearts, once chill'd, ne'er warm again.
Yet, lady, trust the dang'rous boy!
His smiles are full of light and joy;
And e'en his most envenom'd dart,
Is better than a vacant heart.
O'er all Felicia's[2] music thrown!
Heaven spare thee the thrilling sigh,
That wakes her harp to melody!
There's subtle power in every line
Of that bewitching Valentine;
If once within the throbbing heart,
Nor time, nor change, bids it depart,
And seldom it's a quiet guest,
In woman's fond, devoted breast.
New thoughts may fire the weary brain,
But hearts, once chill'd, ne'er warm again.
Yet, lady, trust the dang'rous boy!
His smiles are full of light and joy;
And e'en his most envenom'd dart,
Is better than a vacant heart.
| The coronal | |