Poems (Hoffman)/Song (There are shadows in the sunshine)

by Martha Lavinia Hoffman

For works with similar titles, see Song.

SONG

There are shadows in the sunshine,
Poison in the roses' breath,
Nature with her bridal garlands
Twines the faded flowers of death,
Tones of sorrow, low and plaintive,
Tremble through life's merry waltz,
Since the morn a warning angel
Whispered gently, "He is false."

Still my lips repeat the question,
"Tell me, is the message true,
When the sunshine still is golden,
Earth so glad and skies so blue;
Can it be that you are faithless?"
'Gainst the thought my soul revolts,
Yet it was an angel whispered,
Softly, gently, "He is false."

Would he blight my youth's fair beauty
Just to feed the basest pride,
Pluck my love's half-opened rose-bud,
Soon, so soon to cast aside;
Teach my soul all men are base;
Love and honor—sculptured vaults—
All without made fair and lovely,
All within made dark and false?

If within my woman's bosom
There were found no faith in man,
If my heart's once joyous Eden,
Languished under blight and ban;
Could you stand acquitted, guiltless,
Of my young heart's direst faults,
At an upper bar of justice,
You who taught me to be false?

List! It was an angel whisper
Sent to comfort and reprove,
Saying: "Wronged and erring doubter,
Truth is truth and love is love."
Angel tones are sweetly drowning
Death's grim dirge and life's wild waltz
Pouring out in deepest music,
God is true, though man be false.