 | Nacoochee ; or, the beautiful star, with other Poems |  |
101
TO MY SISTER,
ON HEARING THAT SHE HAD BORNE TWINS.
Thou hast a rich world around thee.—
Felicia Hemans.
Felicia Hemans.
My sister! what a deep and joyous thing
It is, to bear two pledges at one birth—
Like two sweet notes from one melodious string,
To make me happy on a distant earth.
And now, dear sister! soaring on the wing
Of transport—loving far too deep for mirth—
Fain would my spirit brood upon thy twins—
Two miniatures of life without its sins.
It is, to bear two pledges at one birth—
Like two sweet notes from one melodious string,
To make me happy on a distant earth.
And now, dear sister! soaring on the wing
Of transport—loving far too deep for mirth—
Fain would my spirit brood upon thy twins—
Two miniatures of life without its sins.
My heart is as a mountain set on fire,
Which melts into its centre all unseen—
A shrine burnt down amid its own desire,
To live without enjoying what hath been!
A thing all labouring, but shall never tire,
That flags for moments to revive again—
Whose unconsuming core shall always burn,
Till life's bright spark shall unto God return.
Which melts into its centre all unseen—
A shrine burnt down amid its own desire,
To live without enjoying what hath been!
A thing all labouring, but shall never tire,
That flags for moments to revive again—
Whose unconsuming core shall always burn,
Till life's bright spark shall unto God return.
My heart is as a lyre of many strings,
Which shall be mute till struck by thy dear hands—
When I shall brood beneath my mother's wings—
Which none can do upon those distant lands!
It is, as 'twere, a fount of many springs—
A thousand streams set over golden sands—
And that which thou wouldst have or sweet or sour,
The same is at thy will this precious hour.
Which shall be mute till struck by thy dear hands—
When I shall brood beneath my mother's wings—
Which none can do upon those distant lands!
102
A thousand streams set over golden sands—
And that which thou wouldst have or sweet or sour,
The same is at thy will this precious hour.
My sister! my dear sister! if my tears
Are tests of my affections, call me kind!
They flow as if I had ten thousand cares
To root from out a long-distracted mind!
My life then, after all, is but the years
Of childhood, which now makes me unresigned
To live from home—whereat my youth was spent—
The four-and-twentieth year of sweet content.
Are tests of my affections, call me kind!
They flow as if I had ten thousand cares
To root from out a long-distracted mind!
My life then, after all, is but the years
Of childhood, which now makes me unresigned
To live from home—whereat my youth was spent—
The four-and-twentieth year of sweet content.
I feel that thou art happy with the rest
Of those who love me—those who have been dear
To my existence—they, no doubt, are blest—
While thou art now baptizing with a tear
The two young flowers that bloom upon thy breast—
Like dew-drops upon lily-bells,—for fear
That some dark angel from among the dead
May fan his icy wings above their head!
Of those who love me—those who have been dear
To my existence—they, no doubt, are blest—
While thou art now baptizing with a tear
The two young flowers that bloom upon thy breast—
Like dew-drops upon lily-bells,—for fear
That some dark angel from among the dead
May fan his icy wings above their head!
My sister! knowing that my bleeding heart
Is poured out over thee with many tears!
And feeling that our homes are far apart,
I charge you, when you think upon the years
That thus have borne me, say,—but do not start—
He trod his untried pathway without fears;
And know, that though my feet may cross the sea,
I will from that far land return to thee.
Is poured out over thee with many tears!
And feeling that our homes are far apart,
I charge you, when you think upon the years
That thus have borne me, say,—but do not start—
He trod his untried pathway without fears;
And know, that though my feet may cross the sea,
I will from that far land return to thee.
| Nacoochee ; or, the beautiful star, with other Poems | |