The Downing legends : Stories in Rhyme The witch of Shiloh, the last of the Wampanoags, the gentle earl, the enchanted voyage |
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 | The Downing legends : Stories in Rhyme |  |
XIV
It is an easy thing, I hold,
For youngling souls of kindly mould,
Who journey lonely side by side,
To think of altar, groom and bride.
So presently this English earl
Began to love our Yankee girl,
And strove with every tender art
To reach the heaven within her heart;
Though gallantly ashamed to tell
His suit to captive damozel,
So virginal was he in soul,
So chivalrous and soft to dole.
Yet many gracious words he passed,
And many yearning glances cast,
Or smiled to meet her dreamy gaze,
And offered service in courtly ways.
For youngling souls of kindly mould,
Who journey lonely side by side,
To think of altar, groom and bride.
So presently this English earl
Began to love our Yankee girl,
And strove with every tender art
To reach the heaven within her heart;
Though gallantly ashamed to tell
His suit to captive damozel,
So virginal was he in soul,
So chivalrous and soft to dole.
Yet many gracious words he passed,
And many yearning glances cast,
Or smiled to meet her dreamy gaze,
And offered service in courtly ways.
But how could Esther think of love?
Her mind was drawn to things above;
Her heart was otherworldly pure.
She knew no girlish guess or lure;
And when she lifted up her eyes
Of azure light to azure skies
She purposed not to dazzle men,
Nor guessed that she was comely then;
She only lifted them to pray
That worldly thoughts might pass away.
Her mind was drawn to things above;
Her heart was otherworldly pure.
She knew no girlish guess or lure;
134
Of azure light to azure skies
She purposed not to dazzle men,
Nor guessed that she was comely then;
She only lifted them to pray
That worldly thoughts might pass away.
| The Downing legends : Stories in Rhyme | |