Poems of Letitia Elizabeth Landon (L. E. L.) in The Juvenile Forget Me Not, 1833/The Shamrock
The Shamrock.
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THE SHAMROCK.
BY L. E. L.
Hope, mirth, and love, these are the bonds
That link them to each other—
Those fairy sisters who support
Their little laughing brother.
Their eyes are filled with happiness,
Each face is very fair,
And their bright heads—a day in June
Has shed its sunshine there.
Raised as in triumph on their arms,
The youngest one looks down—
He is a monarch absolute
As ever wore a crown.
There's many a king in Europe now,
With sceptre and with sword,
Whose regal will is far more curbed
Than his—that infant lord.
Ah! other days will come than these,
Such as time ever brings;
When fade the flowers beneath his feet,
The sunshine from his wings!
When many a bitter thought is writ
Within the altered mind,
The faithless friend, the hope betrayed,
The look and word unkind.
But what hath pining discontent
To do with this glad three?
Who are as glad as birds that sing
Within a summer tree:
Or as the flowers that lift their heads
Upon a sunny day—
So joyous in their own delight,
So beautiful are they!
The image of a happy child
Doth link itself with all
That natural loveliness, which least
Reminds us of our fall.
Somewhat of angel purity,
Somewhat of angel grace,
Ere longer years bring shade and soil,
Are on a childish face.
Now farewell to the beautiful!
May never future years
Throw paleness o'er each cheek of rose,
Or fill those eyes with tears!
May smiles still linger round each lip,
And sunshine on each brow,
And many summers find each face
As fair and glad as now!