 | Maiden Ecstasy |  |
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THE FIRST LOVE.
I
A nymph of laughter and her playmate boyKnew in their youth a love already old,
Though in the safety of its perfect joy
It lingered still untold.
Her heart was his heart's friend, so closely knit,
A spark let fall on one, the fire had spread
And a new passion lit
To burn into the lips in friendship's stead.
II
With crown and gryphons blazoned, high enrolledAmid strange lists of station, was her name;
Not so his own; and he his love controlled
Till he had seized on fame.
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So lets she not her fancy rove in quest
Of rich-toned flattery,
But in her home finds hourly-smiling rest.
III
Yet is her dream one day to wedded beUnto his like, which many knew who sought
This lively maid, for in her heart was he
Her one all-guiding thought.
So, self-betrayed, had others learnt her choice;
Had feigned by turns his glad and sombre mood;
And with his ringing voice
Or sober looks, as chanced, her steps pursued.
IV
But her heart too had caught his changeful way,So 'gainst her seeming fickleness who strove
Lost by to-morrow all they won to-day:
There was no place for love.
Whether, all truth, no subtle arts they feign
Or mould their grace to please her in his stead,
All follow her in vain:
Heartless she seems, unwilling to be wed.
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V
Her playmate, oft at sea, brings back to shoreThe missing charm, when twofold merriment
Springs up, as if one half their joy he bore
Whether he came or went.
And, though he leave, 'tis as a brother leaves,
For where joy is can no mischance appear:
'Tis but the heart which grieves
That fails to see a distant time as near.
VI
Long was he absent, and her parents said‘'Tis time to fix your heart and give your bond:
In her full beauty should a maiden wed
And think of life beyond.’
They urge her; she surveys the world in vain:
Ere she can love must she his likeness know
But only meets again
Memories of joy no other can bestow.
VII
At length one of the many brings the giftsSeen but in one before; so bright, so rare:
Towards him her heart, though anchored, slowly drifts;
She meets the absent there.
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Has he to tell her; home-won victories
His path of peace bestrew,
And draw for him at last the promised prize.
VIII
As with the peach, two kernels in their stoneLie closely hidden 'neath one luscious rind,
So with this maid; two hearts that seem but one
Are in her breast enshrined.
The weaker with a full affection teems,
As doth a mother's who the feeble child
Still living priceless deems,
Until a stronger on her love has smiled.
IX
But like a fairy garden 'neath filmed iceThat shuts in half a flower, her love-dreams melt,
And vanishes the little paradise
That did her prospect belt.
Upon the peaceful sea at anchor rides
A war-ship, and her first love steps on shore,
When woe her heart betides
Which sinks, as drowning, at the cannon's roar.
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X
His life-affection, loosed from its controul,He tells her, and she listens in dismay:
Ere all the raptured words escape his soul
Her senses sink away.
From her white face the shifting bloom has fled
And sends up her heart's shadow to those cheeks,
Deserting her for dead,
When o'er her brow, in drops, the anguish breaks.
XI
'Twas nigh the beach, his flagship full in view,He told her how for love of her he fought
When the grand vessel into battle flew
And won the prize he sought.
Now as a sea-king's was his will obeyed:
But glory, what avails it, what is fame
Unless his loving maid
Share with him all his honours and his name?
XII
She clasps her bosom, flies from place to placeHeedless of where her tears fast falling drop;
As though a sobbing sky came o'er her face
They never seem to stop.
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She only whispers, ‘No, it cannot be;’
But looks around to seek
Some voice that yet may turn her destiny.
XIII
‘O God!’ he cries, ‘Through all these hopeful yearsYour love has been my lode-star; not in vain?’
The gust of words has driven back her tears;
Her kisses fall like rain.
Her lips are maddened, both her arms embrace
His neck with a rude rapture, while her cheeks
Fondle his welcome face,
And turn his lips to kisses when he speaks.
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