 | [Poems by Payne in] John Howard Payne ... his life and writings |  |
BEAUTY'S GLANCE.
WRITTEN FOR AN INTERLUDE.
Woe to the heart! when Beauty's eye
O'er its unwaken'd pulse first rushes,
Kindling wild visions,—like the sky
New lighted up by morning's blushes.
O'er its unwaken'd pulse first rushes,
Kindling wild visions,—like the sky
New lighted up by morning's blushes.
For storm-clouds may convulse the air,
As the uncertain day advances;
And Beauty's eye may flash despair
On the adorer of its glances.
As the uncertain day advances;
And Beauty's eye may flash despair
On the adorer of its glances.
Ne'er did a sigh this bosom swell
Till thy enchantments smil'd around it;
And, oh! it trembles now to tell
Its throb to her whose spell has bound it.
Till thy enchantments smil'd around it;
And, oh! it trembles now to tell
Its throb to her whose spell has bound it.
329
But do not, dearest! do not blame
This falt'ring utt'rance of a feeling,
My tongue has not the strength to name
Nor my heart courage for concealing.
This falt'ring utt'rance of a feeling,
My tongue has not the strength to name
Nor my heart courage for concealing.
Cast one—one rapturing glance, to end
The doubt I tremble to discover;
I must—I must be—more than friend,—
And may I not be—more than lover?
The doubt I tremble to discover;
I must—I must be—more than friend,—
And may I not be—more than lover?
| [Poems by Payne in] John Howard Payne ... his life and writings | |