142
Poems
Fame is an empty—word! The praise—of all,
Is as—the leaves that flutter—in the fall,—
Soon—but the clay, and mold that—they drift o'er,—
But love,—is—royal LOVE—forevermore!"
Is as—the leaves that flutter—in the fall,—
Soon—but the clay, and mold that—they drift o'er,—
But love,—is—royal LOVE—forevermore!"
"Thou'rt mine,—as I am thine,—the seal was set
Upon our souls—in Heaven—long ere we met—
On this sad earth,—where thou—hast gone astray,—
And in the maze of pleasure—lost thy way;—
Raphael,—I go; but, ever by the—gate
Of Heaven—until you come—my soul shall wait!
Pass you the foolish loves!—life is—soon o'er,—
Thou'rt mine,—as I am thine,—forevermore!"
Upon our souls—in Heaven—long ere we met—
On this sad earth,—where thou—hast gone astray,—
And in the maze of pleasure—lost thy way;—
Raphael,—I go; but, ever by the—gate
Of Heaven—until you come—my soul shall wait!
Pass you the foolish loves!—life is—soon o'er,—
Thou'rt mine,—as I am thine,—forevermore!"
She raised her drooping head, stretched forth her hand.
And strongly said,—"Raphael, a better land
Awaits thy coming! There I'll wait—for thee,—
Do thy work nobly,—and—be true—to me!"
A fluttering of the spreading wings, and she,—
The "Song-bird,"—flies into eternity;
While they, who watch her on her homeward way,
Bare their bowed heads, and, sobbing, kneel to pray.
And strongly said,—"Raphael, a better land
Awaits thy coming! There I'll wait—for thee,—
Do thy work nobly,—and—be true—to me!"
A fluttering of the spreading wings, and she,—
The "Song-bird,"—flies into eternity;
While they, who watch her on her homeward way,
Bare their bowed heads, and, sobbing, kneel to pray.
