 | Poems lyric and idyllic |  |
84
MAY: 1859.
The meadow-wooing Spring doth not forgetTo smile upon our toilsome city squares,
Though men perceive her not—like schoolboys set
To daily tasks, and bent with life-long cares;
Yet, even in our thraldom, have we met
The light of bluer than the winter sky
At office-windows—something freer yet,
Than lately breathed, in zephyrs passing by;
Aye, and in yon walled church-yard can espy
Green rustling branches:—O to be away!
To list the birds sing and the breezes sigh
In well remembered valleys! Thou and I,
Dear Love, would roam once more a truant day,
Living as we were wont to live in May.
86
ITALY.
Beyond the blue Atlantic lifts a land,In many a vineyard terrace, from the sea,
And not alone those waters, lovingly,
Roll toward her, but every freeman's hand
Points thitherward, to cheer the noble band,
Whose flowing blood shall make this fair land free:
For, like a precious casket, Italy.
Set round with jewelled memories doth stand—
Full of her thousand gems of Art and Song.
But, Italy, for me thou dost contain
Three treasures richer than are said to throng
Thine Angelo's or Raffael's richest vein:
Mother and Sisters! unto you belong
My heart, and all the passion of this strain.
87
CHRISTMAS: 1857.
Close on the ending of a doleful year,Sweet Christmas chimes and carollings, awhile,
With blessed reminiscences, beguile
Men's restless hearts and soothe away their fear;
Ah, then! from Heaven looking to our sphere,
Which He alone to Heaven could reconcile,
Our Lord, amid His perfect joy, doth smile
To see—wherever men such music hear—
All human sufferers, on this dear morn,
When into human life He erst was born,
Forget their ancient curse and myriad woes,
Feeling the bliss that some fair planet knows,
Where never entered Sin, and Doubt, and Scorn,
To bring the need of a Redeemer's throes.
| Poems lyric and idyllic | |