 | Poems |  |
214
THE REPROOF.
Why dost always weep and groan?
(Nature thus reproved her son)
Never child do I disown,
But thou art a favoured one.
Strong and apt attendants run
Swiftly to thy call;
Best of every service done
To thy share doth fall.
(Nature thus reproved her son)
Never child do I disown,
But thou art a favoured one.
Strong and apt attendants run
Swiftly to thy call;
Best of every service done
To thy share doth fall.
Greener elm I give to thee;
Rosier rose, of richer scent;
Brighter river, grander sea,
Bluer sky above thee bent;
Dreams on others never spent,
Waking or asleep;
Love, and varying wonderment,
Almost angel-deep.
Rosier rose, of richer scent;
Brighter river, grander sea,
Bluer sky above thee bent;
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Waking or asleep;
Love, and varying wonderment,
Almost angel-deep.
Yet the grumbler's part you choose;
Gifts so noble, lightly prize;
Murmur that these brilliant hues
Only serve to blind your eyes.
Welcoming the rose with sighs,
Since it has a thorn;
Cradling every joy that dies,
Freezing the new-born.
Gifts so noble, lightly prize;
Murmur that these brilliant hues
Only serve to blind your eyes.
Welcoming the rose with sighs,
Since it has a thorn;
Cradling every joy that dies,
Freezing the new-born.
Try, ere longer you complain,
If there be no fault in you.
All my wealth is spread in vain,
Where the heart is less than true.
Rose's favour wisely sue,
Fear not then to bleed;
Love with earnest spirit woo,
Loves thou 'lt never need.
If there be no fault in you.
All my wealth is spread in vain,
Where the heart is less than true.
Rose's favour wisely sue,
Fear not then to bleed;
Love with earnest spirit woo,
Loves thou 'lt never need.
Know, my child, I've sent thee down
To instruct and cheer the rest:
On thy mountain brow a frown
Chills and darkens east and west.
Deep within a lordly breast
Hide thy skill in grief,—
Only in a power expressed
For thy friends' relief.
To instruct and cheer the rest:
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Chills and darkens east and west.
Deep within a lordly breast
Hide thy skill in grief,—
Only in a power expressed
For thy friends' relief.
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