 | The Poetical Works of James Gates Percival |  |
DACTYLIC PENTAMETER.
Spirit of hope and of joy, who, in holiest day,
Dwellest 'mid ever-bright flowers, from thy home of delight,
Come to me still as a friend, 'mid the visions of night,—
Bear me, on pinions of love, to thy heaven away.
There, where the fountains of life in the clear morning play,
Bathing the blossoms around with their freshening dew,
Waking for ever the rose, its sweet youth to renew,
Couched on the ever-green grass, I would lingering stay.
Dwellest 'mid ever-bright flowers, from thy home of delight,
Come to me still as a friend, 'mid the visions of night,—
Bear me, on pinions of love, to thy heaven away.
There, where the fountains of life in the clear morning play,
Bathing the blossoms around with their freshening dew,
Waking for ever the rose, its sweet youth to renew,
Couched on the ever-green grass, I would lingering stay.
Blest with thy presence alone, I would ever remain,
Live on thy smile and thy song:—wouldst thou ever be near,
Breathing the tones of thy heart, as a lute, in my ear,
Never the cold realm of earth should possess me again.
O, shall I never be free from this heart-crushing chain?
Shall the fond dreams of my youth be around me no more?
Shall there no bright morning dawn, to revive and restore?
Fondly I look to thy aid;—let me look not in vain!
Live on thy smile and thy song:—wouldst thou ever be near,
Breathing the tones of thy heart, as a lute, in my ear,
Never the cold realm of earth should possess me again.
O, shall I never be free from this heart-crushing chain?
Shall the fond dreams of my youth be around me no more?
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Fondly I look to thy aid;—let me look not in vain!
| The Poetical Works of James Gates Percival | |