Poems — Destiny

II.

There was a flower I pluck'd in my dreams, Fragrant and fair to see;

Oh, would I had never awoke and found Such bloom not here for me.

III.

There was a harp, whose magic tone, Echoed my faintest words-- But Destiny's hand, with a ruthless touch, Hath rent the golden chords.

IV.

There was a path like Eden's vale, In which I was spell'd to stray, But Destiny rose with a flaming sword To guard that path alway.

V.

I've looked on eyes were like the star-- Their light is quench'd for me;

And a soul I have known like the golden harp That breath'd but melody.

VI.

And moments bright as that dream-land Where bloomed the radiant flower.

Oh!

would I had died ere I felt the gloom Of this dark, joyless hour.

VII.

Fatal the time I rais'd mine eyes To eyes whose light hath blasted-- Yet ere I could turn from their glance away, Life had with gazing wasted.

VIII.

Bitter the thought that years may pass-- Yet thus it must be ever, To look on thy form, to hear thy voice-- But nearer--never, never.

IX.

Could I but love as I love the stars, Or the gush of the twilight breeze, Or the pale light of the wandering moon Glancing through forest trees;

X.

With a sinless, calm, untroubled love, Look upwards and adore-- Could I but thus gaze life away, Without the wish to soar.

XI.

In vain!

in vain!

I hope, I weep, I kneel the long nights in prayer-- Oh!

better to die in the noon of life, Than love, and yet despair.

MEMORY.