 | Poems and Songs by E. H. B. [i.e. E. H. Bickersteth] |  |
39
DESTINY.
I
'Twas as a flow'r in nature's earliest springThe mem'ry of that night. The sun may fling
His burning beams athwart the gay parterre—
The dust oppress the brightest gem—the fair
Young rose may fade, shedding its purple light
To the rude wind—ah! mem'ry has no blight.
II
The twilight found us musing on the timeWhen childhood should be o'er, and life's gay prime
Smiling might greet us with the rosy hours—
That future, pregnant fancy wreathes and dow'rs—
Hid by the curtains from each curious eye
We stood, scarce parted by a mutual sigh.
III
The light breeze mingled our warm breath—our hair—To speak our tongues refused—we did not dare
To wake the voice of passion—but on high
Our eyes did wander o'er the starry sky—
Those heavenly lamps. Our destiny—our doom
That hour was sealed—how dark its after gloom.
| Poems and Songs by E. H. B. [i.e. E. H. Bickersteth] | |