 | The Pleasures and other Miscellaneous Poems |  |
MAY I NOT LOVE?
May I not love the beauteous flow'rs
That in the gardens grow?
Or those which deck wild Nature's bow'rs
Upon the mountain's brow?
That in the gardens grow?
Or those which deck wild Nature's bow'rs
Upon the mountain's brow?
May I not love the brightest gem
Upon a monarch's crown?
Or that still brighter diadem,
Which Gabriel's head adorn?
Upon a monarch's crown?
Or that still brighter diadem,
Which Gabriel's head adorn?
May I not love to gaze upon
The starry robes of Night?
Watch as her burning cars roll on,
And trace an angel's flight?
The starry robes of Night?
Watch as her burning cars roll on,
And trace an angel's flight?
O Science, may I not love thee!
Thou giant son of heav'n;
In thee, what wond'rous charms I see!
God's pow'r to mortals giv'n.
Thou giant son of heav'n;
In thee, what wond'rous charms I see!
God's pow'r to mortals giv'n.
42
May I not love to stray along
Some river's grassy side?
The forest cheer with holy song?
And swim the flowing tide?
Some river's grassy side?
The forest cheer with holy song?
And swim the flowing tide?
May I not love the art divine,
Which makes the canvass breathe?
Whose mimic landscapes glow and shine
With streams and flow'ry heath?
Which makes the canvass breathe?
Whose mimic landscapes glow and shine
With streams and flow'ry heath?
Sweet Music! may I not love thee!
Thou charmer of the soul!
Thy strains, like drops of honey be;
Thy notes like morning dews!
Thou charmer of the soul!
Thy strains, like drops of honey be;
Thy notes like morning dews!
The charming Maid, may I not love—
Whose pleasure is in books?
Whose heart is like the peaceful dove,
With virtue's modest looks?
Whose pleasure is in books?
Whose heart is like the peaceful dove,
With virtue's modest looks?
Who scorns the swinish joys of earth—
Who seeks a throne on high—
Whose heart pants not for windy mirth—
Whose hope is in the sky.
Who seeks a throne on high—
Whose heart pants not for windy mirth—
Whose hope is in the sky.
O Poetry, thou child of Love!
Whose harp by God was giv'n;
Thy songs are echoes from above—
Thy voice the breath of heav'n.
Whose harp by God was giv'n;
Thy songs are echoes from above—
Thy voice the breath of heav'n.
43
May I not love thee? thing of light!
For love is in thine eyes;
Thine is the eagle's sunny flight!
Thy home is in the skies!
For love is in thine eyes;
Thine is the eagle's sunny flight!
Thy home is in the skies!
Lord! I may love them all for thee—
Will love them for thy sake;
Will love, till in eternity
My loving soul shall wake!
Will love them for thy sake;
Will love, till in eternity
My loving soul shall wake!
| The Pleasures and other Miscellaneous Poems | |