 | [Poems by Drake in] The life and works of Joseph Rodman Drake (1795-1820) |  |
181
Meeting
I shed no outward tears, but my heart wept,
And it was softened in that gentle stream,
Till sleep fell quietly, and while I slept
There came upon my slumbers a sweet dream
Of meeting friends; and if, as some men desire,
Such shades have a deep meaning, there may be
In the far future yet, some kindly beam,
Some hours of homefelt bliss and holy ecstacy.
And it was softened in that gentle stream,
Till sleep fell quietly, and while I slept
There came upon my slumbers a sweet dream
Of meeting friends; and if, as some men desire,
Such shades have a deep meaning, there may be
In the far future yet, some kindly beam,
Some hours of homefelt bliss and holy ecstacy.
For there were tears that fell like summer rain,
To leave the orbs they dimmed more bright than ever;
And happy sighs and sobs that leave no pain,
And glad, wet smiles, like sundrops in a river.
And there were fond embracings, and close press
Of clasping hands, and talk of days long gone;
And two sweet forms unknown, who came to bless
My heart with a new name of love; and one
Unseen, but felt, shared in each dear caress,
And smiled in heaven to see her children's happiness.
To leave the orbs they dimmed more bright than ever;
And happy sighs and sobs that leave no pain,
And glad, wet smiles, like sundrops in a river.
And there were fond embracings, and close press
Of clasping hands, and talk of days long gone;
And two sweet forms unknown, who came to bless
My heart with a new name of love; and one
Unseen, but felt, shared in each dear caress,
And smiled in heaven to see her children's happiness.
| [Poems by Drake in] The life and works of Joseph Rodman Drake (1795-1820) | |