Lectures on poetry delivered at Oxford By Sir Francis Hastings Doyle ... Second Series |
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VERSES FOR THE FIRST PAGE OF A SHAKSPERE. |
 | Lectures on poetry delivered at Oxford |  |
266
VERSES FOR THE FIRST PAGE OF A SHAKSPERE.
PRESENTED TO MISS JULIA TOLLEMACHE ON HER MARRIAGE.
If by some wizard Shakspere's pen
To me for one short hour were lent,
This heart of mine, sweet Julia, then
Might find fit words for all it meant:
To me for one short hour were lent,
This heart of mine, sweet Julia, then
Might find fit words for all it meant:
Words that should make your name as dear
To other times as it is now,
And still shine on, year after year,
A wreath of stars around your brow.
To other times as it is now,
And still shine on, year after year,
A wreath of stars around your brow.
But as, alas, this may not be,
I can but say your soul is such
That could our Shakspere know it, he
Would love you as I love you—much.
I can but say your soul is such
That could our Shakspere know it, he
Would love you as I love you—much.
For what you are, that once were they
Whose bloom he watched with grave delight,
Then smiled in his benignant way
(As on May rose-buds fresh and white).
Whose bloom he watched with grave delight,
Then smiled in his benignant way
(As on May rose-buds fresh and white).
Trusting that each young flower was sure
To reach a larger, warmer life;
And from a maiden, perfect pure,
Become a pure and happy wife.
To reach a larger, warmer life;
And from a maiden, perfect pure,
Become a pure and happy wife.
May 1873.
| Lectures on poetry delivered at Oxford | |