The poetical works of John Nicholson ... Carefully edited from the original editions, with additional notes and a sketch of his life and writings. By W. G. Hird |
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THE FAITHFUL WIFE. |
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 | The poetical works of John Nicholson |  |
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THE FAITHFUL WIFE.
From times of ancient Greece, the fair
By greatest poets have been sung,—
The virgins with the lovely air,
And all their beauties fresh and young;
By greatest poets have been sung,—
The virgins with the lovely air,
And all their beauties fresh and young;
But praises greater far are due
To her who braves the storms of life,
In ev'ry state her bosom true—
At ev'ry age the faithful wife.
To her who braves the storms of life,
In ev'ry state her bosom true—
At ev'ry age the faithful wife.
How many nymphs have gained the praise
When blithe sixteen upon them shone;
But soon the transient bloom decays,
And ev'ry outward beauty's gone.
When blithe sixteen upon them shone;
But soon the transient bloom decays,
And ev'ry outward beauty's gone.
While she who in her bosom bears
A spark of virtue's sacred fire,
Which like the purest gem appears,
When love's impetuous flames expire,
A spark of virtue's sacred fire,
Which like the purest gem appears,
When love's impetuous flames expire,
Is lovelier far when pale and cold—
She falls like autumn's ripened grain;
Our mem'ries then her worth unfold,
And wish her here to shine again.
She falls like autumn's ripened grain;
Our mem'ries then her worth unfold,
And wish her here to shine again.
| The poetical works of John Nicholson | |