 | Poems by Rose Terry |  |
108
JULY XXIV.
Come back! come back! forsake thy rest,
And tread the darkened paths of men!
Bring gladness to the lonely breast,
Peace to the troubled dreams again.
And tread the darkened paths of men!
Bring gladness to the lonely breast,
Peace to the troubled dreams again.
Nor yet without a ransom, Death,
I plead to loose thy dread embrace!
I offer thee but breath for breath,
Give this one life to fill my place.
I plead to loose thy dread embrace!
I offer thee but breath for breath,
Give this one life to fill my place.
For thee, lost sleeper, tears are shed
That fall not for the slave set free;
Thou, mourned as those too early dead;
I, mourning in captivity.
That fall not for the slave set free;
Thou, mourned as those too early dead;
I, mourning in captivity.
For thee the life-rose, blooming, glowed;
I long perceive its naked thorn;
For thee, soft spread the widening road
I see grow narrower every morn.
I long perceive its naked thorn;
For thee, soft spread the widening road
I see grow narrower every morn.
109
Send the keen rapture of surprise,
A sudden joy through silent hearts,
And shut a smile within mine eyes,
Like one who for his home departs.
A sudden joy through silent hearts,
And shut a smile within mine eyes,
Like one who for his home departs.
Come back! come back! the love and grief,
Poured on thy sleep, may yet be mine,
As late dews mourn the fallen leaf,
That on its sunlight would not shine.
Poured on thy sleep, may yet be mine,
As late dews mourn the fallen leaf,
That on its sunlight would not shine.
| Poems by Rose Terry | |