ABSENCE. TO HER ABSENT SAILOR. FROM "THE TENT ON THE BEACH. HER window opens to the bay, In prayer she kneels : But, with her heart, if not her ear, JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER TO LUCASTA. IF to be absent were to be Away from thee; Or that, when I am gone, You or I were alone; Then, my Lucasta, might I crave Pity from blustering wind or swallowing wave. But I'll not sigh one blast or gale Or pay a tear to 'suage The foaming blue-god's rage; Though seas and lands be 'twixt us both, Like separated souls, All time and space controls: Above the highest sphere we meet, Unseen, unknown; and greet as angels greet. So, then, we do anticipate Our after-fate, And are alive i' th' skies, In heaven, — their earthly bodies left behind. COLONEL RICHARD LOVELACE. OF A' THE AIRTS THE WIND CAN BLAW. OF a' the airts the wind can blaw, I dearly like the west; For there the bonnie lassie lives, The lassie I lo'e best. There wild woods grow, and rivers row, I see her in the dewy flowers, I hear her in the tunefu' birds, I hear her charm the air; There's not a bonnie flower that springs There's not a bonnie bird that sings, ROBERT BURNS. LOVE'S MEMORY. FROM ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL." I AM undone there is no living, none, SHAKESPEARE. THE SUN UPON THE LAKE IS LOW. THE sun upon the lake is low, The wild birds hush their song, The hills have evening's deepest glow, Yet Leonard tarries long. Now all whom varied toil and care From home and love divide, The noble dame on turret high, The village maid, with hand on brow For Colin's darkening plaid. Now to their mates the wild swans row, By day they swam apart, And to the thicket wanders slow The hind beside the hart. The woodlark at his partner's side All meet whom day and care divide, But Leonard tarries long! SIR WALTER SCOTT. O, SAW YE BONNIE LESLEY? O, SAW ye bonnie Lesley As she gaed o'er the border? She's gane, like Alexander, To spread her conquests farther. To see her is to love her, And love but her forever; For nature made her what she is, And ne'er made sic anither! Thou art a queen, fair Lesley, Thy subjects we, before thee; Thou art divine, fair Lesley, The hearts o' men adore thee. The deil he could na scaith thee, Or aught that wad belang thee; He'd look into thy bonnie face, And say 'I canna wrang thee !' The Powers aboon will tent thee; Misfortune sha' na steer thee; Thou 'rt like themselves sae lovely That ill they'll ne'er let near thee. Return again, fair Lesley, Return to Caledonie ! That we may brag we hae a lass There's nane again sae bonnie. ROBERT BURNS JEANIE MORRISON. I've wandered east, I've wandered west, Through mony a weary way; But never, never can forget The luve o' life's young day! O dear, dear Jeanie Morrison, The thochts o' bygane years Still fling their shadows ower my path, And blind my een wi' tears: They blind my een wi' saut, saut tears, And sair and sick I pine, As memory idly summons up The blithe blinks o' langsyne. 'Twas then we luvit ilk ither weel, "T was then we twa did part; Sweet time - sad time! twa bairns at scule, Twa bairns, and but ae heart! I marvel, Jeanie Morrison, Gin I hae been to thee As closely twined wi' earliest thochts O, tell me gin their music fills Thine ear as it does mine! O, say gin e'er your heart grows grit I've wandered east, I've wandered west. But in my wanderings, far or near, The fount that first burst frae this heart O dear, dear Jeanie Morrison, Since we were sindered young I've never seen your face nor heard The music o' your tongue; But I could hug all wretchedness, And happy could I die, Did I but ken your heart still dreamed O' bygone days and me! WILLIAM MOTHERWELL. LOVE. FROM THE TRIUMPH OF TIME." THERE lived a singer in France of old There shone one woman, and none but she. Died, praising God for his gift and grace : Or ever the life in his face was shed. The sharp tears fell through her hair, and stung Once, and her close lips touched him and clung Once, and grew one with his lips for a space; And so drew back, and the man was dead. O brother, the gods were good to you. Give thanks for life, and the loves and lures; |