 | Judith, Esther, and other poems |  |
TO --- ---.
Seek thou the beauteous maid whose raven hair,Like wreath of jet curls o'er her forehead fair;
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Renders obscure the rivalled pupil's play;
Whose rich, ripe, ruby lips, of deepest glow,
With frequent smile their polished treasures show,
In contrast sweet of crimson and of snow;
Whose Parian neck supports her faultless face
Like roses blushing o'er a marble vase.
And if, perchance, upon her bosom fair,
A wild tress wanton, through neglect or care,
Contrast in fullest power to give delight
Behold, while deepest black and purest white
In soft alliance, all their charms unite.
Gaze thou in extacy! but be it mine
To look upon the dark blue eye benign,
That heavenward raised, in liquid brilliance pure,
Seems of itself a heaven in minature!
Soft sunny locks, that twinkle o'er the brow,
While azure veins just tinge the temple's snow.
The fresh and rosy mouth, with ready smile
That seeks the sense of sorrow to beguile,
Though the sad bosom swells with smothered fears,
And the soft lid can scarce contain its tears.
While a deep plaintive voice, in tenderest tone
Thrills on the ear like winds that murmuring moan;
Oh! soul, that hath its origin on high
Best warms the temple deckt with heavenly dye!
| Judith, Esther, and other poems | |