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65
The Snow-drop.
I
Snowy gem of the earth, whose fair modest head,Droops beneath the chill sigh of hoar winter's cold breath;
Snowy gem of the earth, on thy pure sunless bed,
I carelessly, nearly, had crush'd thee to death.
II
And alas! I have torn thee, thou sweet snowy gem,From the young kindred tendrils thou lov'st to entwine;
And have torn thee, alas! from thy fair parent stem,
To my still glowing bosom thy charms to consign.
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III
But if from thy pure sunless bed I have snatch'd thee,From thy young kindred tendrils and fair parent stem;
In a clime to thy beauties more genial I'll watch thee,
And revive all thy soft, drooping charms, snowy gem!
IV
And instead of the sighs of the icicled hours,I'll breathe o'er thy beauties a sigh from my heart;
And its glow shall restore thee, thou sweetest of flowers,
And a warmth to thy icy-chill'd bosom impart!
V
And where the froze dew-drop once gem'd thy fair brow,A true tear of the soul shall drop soft from mine eye;
And their mutual warmth give thy pale cheek a glow,
And thy charms shall expand to a tear and a sigh.
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VI
For alas! lovely flower, like thee I've been partedFrom a fair kindred blossom, and dear parent stem;
And each nerve from the keen sighs of sorrow has smarted,
As the sharp sighs of winter chill'd thee, snowy gem;
VII
But ah! no kind heart to its bosom e'er prest me,Nor beam'd o'er my griefs a compassionate eye;
With care-soothing tenderness fondly carest me,
And repaid all my woes with a tear and a sigh!
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