Poems of Letitia Elizabeth Landon (L. E. L.) in The Juvenile Forget Me Not, 1837/The Watchful Friend

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Poems of Letitia Elizabeth Landon (L. E. L.) in The Juvenile Forget Me Not, 1837 (1836)
by Letitia Elizabeth Landon
The Watchful Friend
2445506Poems of Letitia Elizabeth Landon (L. E. L.) in The Juvenile Forget Me Not, 1837 — The Watchful Friend1836Letitia Elizabeth Landon


THE WATCHFUL FRIEND

Painted by J. LeBlancEngraved by Miller


Sourced from Four-Footed Favourites, 1862


The Watchful Friend.

In a hidden thicket's shade
Is the little maiden laid;
O'er her bends the wilding rose,
At her side the violet grows:
And, instead of feudal splendour,
Summer's fragrant airs attend her.
More than castle watch or ward
O'er her sleep the dog keeps guard:
None unseen can venture here
With that faithful watcher near.
Lady, who to woodlands wild
Dost resign thy darling child;
Lady, of an ancient line,
Sweet and natural faith is thine.
Thou dost know what influence lies
In the summer sun and skies;
Thou dost know what healthy red
By the open air is shed:
And what pleasant sleep is given
By the blue uncurtained heaven;
Nor to that fond mother known
Outward influence alone.

She hath deeper thoughts that tell
Of dear Nature's inward spell;

She doth bid the wind impart
Its own freshness to the heart.
Every flower around is rife
With fine poetry for life:
Not a perfumed wreath but brings
Some true feelings on its wings.
On that rosy child await
Rank and sway, and wealth and state;
Sad, too often, is their dower,
Much they need a softening power.

Let with worldlier airs be blent
Some diviner element;
Let love, poetry, and thought,
Be to that fair infant brought;
Let the face of nature be
Dearest to its infancy;
And all after life will keep
Treasures from that woodland sleep.