The New Monthly Magazine, Volume 31, Pages 125-126
THE SISTERS.
"We grew together,
Like to a double cherry, seeming parted,
But yet a union in partition;
Two lovely berries moulded on one stem;
So with two seeming bodies, but one heart:
And will you rend our ancient love asunder?"
Midsummer Night's Dream.
"I go, sweet sister! yet my love would linger with thee fain,
And unto every parting gift some deep remembrance chain:
Take then the braid of Eastern pearl, that once I loved to wear,
And with it bind, for festal scenes, the dark waves of thy hair;
Its pale, pure brightness will beseem those raven tresses well,
And I shall need such pomp no more in the lone convent-cell."
"Oh! sister, sister! wherefore thus?—why part from kindred love?
Through festal scenes, when thou art gone, my step no more shall move.
How could I bear a lonely heart amidst a reckless throng?
I should but miss Earth's dearest voice in every tone of song!
Keep, keep the braid of Eastern pearl! or let me proudly twine
Its wreath once more around that brow, that queenly brow of thine!"
