124
miscellaneous poems.
Then wealth seems poor and power is vain, and worldly thoughts forgot.)
A sudden spell hath caught her;—now she wakes from her wild trance,
The brightest in the glittering throng—the gayest in the dance.
For who may read that lady's eye—and mark the secret there?
Or trace the serpent's trail were flowers and perfume showered are?
You've marked the blossom on the bush, the leaf upon the tree,
And knew not that the hidden worm was working silently;
You've seen, e'er from the tree it fell, the leaf's rich gorgeous hue,
Nor recked that summer ne'er again, with its sweet healing dew,
Can bring the beauty to the bud—the freshness to the leaf.
So fades the cheek—so withers all, beneath the touch of grief.
The brightest in the glittering throng—the gayest in the dance.
For who may read that lady's eye—and mark the secret there?
Or trace the serpent's trail were flowers and perfume showered are?
You've marked the blossom on the bush, the leaf upon the tree,
And knew not that the hidden worm was working silently;
You've seen, e'er from the tree it fell, the leaf's rich gorgeous hue,
Nor recked that summer ne'er again, with its sweet healing dew,
Can bring the beauty to the bud—the freshness to the leaf.
So fades the cheek—so withers all, beneath the touch of grief.
