 | The Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes |  |
A SONG FOR THE WIDOW
MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL BENEVOLENT
SOCIETY
JULY 30, 1857
We drink to-night to eyes once bright,
While Hope still told her story,
That lost their gleam in the noontide beam,
Like the blue of the morning-glory!
While Hope still told her story,
345
Like the blue of the morning-glory!
CHORUS
Then drink to-night to eyes once bright,
While Heaven is bending o'er us
To catch the song our lips prolong,
And angels join our chorus.
While Heaven is bending o'er us
To catch the song our lips prolong,
And angels join our chorus.
Let the sparkles pass o'er the brimming glass,
With summer's life-blood glowing,
As the fire-flies shine through the tangled vine
Where the purple grapes are growing.
With summer's life-blood glowing,
As the fire-flies shine through the tangled vine
Where the purple grapes are growing.
CHORUS
Though faint the spark that gilds our dark
With love instead of learning,
'Tis the red that shows ere the rose-bud blows,
Now its inmost heart is burning!
With love instead of learning,
'Tis the red that shows ere the rose-bud blows,
Now its inmost heart is burning!
CHORUS
If wine can bring, from Mercy's spring,
One drop for Sorrow's daughter,
Why then 'tis clear, we need not fear—
Our wine has changed to water.
One drop for Sorrow's daughter,
Why then 'tis clear, we need not fear—
Our wine has changed to water.
CHORUS
Then while we drink, the saints shall winkThat stand as sentries o'er us,
And the angels' eyes shall close likewise,
Till they wake to join our chorus.
| The Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes | |