University of Virginia Library


98

“HEART OF GOLD.”

Lady serene, benign,
This dainty name of mine,
Pride in my bashful eyes
Bending to see,
With your look eloquent,
Oft for glad service lent,
Laughingly, lovingly,
Gave you to me.
Generous gift bestowed!
Lofty desert avowed!
Queen and true Knight indeed
Played we those days;
All of my faith unspent,
Full of my child's content,
Shyly, yet haughtily,
Wore I your praise.

99

O for that happy sport
Once in your mimic court!
O for your voice again,
Lips silencèd!
O for the olden name
Ere disillusion came;
O for “the golden heart,”
Too, that is dead!