Metrical Tales and other poems by Samuel Lover :: :: University of Virginia Library

Metrical Tales and other poems by Samuel Lover

Illustrated by W. Harvey, Hablot K. Browne, Kenny Meadows, F. Skill, and P. Skelton

Lover, Samuel (1797-1868)

THE FLOODED HUT OF THE MISSISSIPPI.

THE FLOWER OF NIGHT.

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106

THE FLOWER OF NIGHT.

The Singadi, or Night-Tree of Sumatra, puts forth flowers at sunset and throughout the night, which fade after sunrise.

There is an Indian tree, they say,
Whose timid flow'r avoids the light,
Concealing thus from tell-tale day
The beauties it unfolds at night.
So many a thought may hidden lie,
So sighs unbreath'd by day may be,
Which, freely, 'neath the starry sky
In secret faith I give to thee:—
The love that strays
Thro' pleasure's ways,
Is like the flow'rs that love the light;
But love that's deep,
And faith will keep,
Is like the flow'r that blooms at night.

107

Then do not blame my careless mien
Amid this world of maskers gay,
I would not let my heart be seen—
I wear a mask as well as they.
Ah, who would wish the gay should smile
At passion too refined for them:—
And therefore I with blameless guile
Conceal within my heart the gem:—
The love that strays
Thro' pleasure's ways,
Is like the flow'rs that love the light;
But love that's deep,
And faith will keep,
Is like the flow'r that blooms at night.

University of Virginia Library

THE FLOWER OF NIGHT. The Singadi, or Night-Tree of Sumatra, puts forth flowers at sunset and throughout the night, which fade after sunrise.

THE FLOWER OF NIGHT.

The Singadi, or Night-Tree of Sumatra, puts forth flowers at sunset and throughout the night, which fade after sunrise.