Poems — Instability

When the day is brightest, Darkness draweth near;

When the heart is lightest, Coming grief I fear.

Eyes of heavenly splendour, Radiance o'er me fling;

But when their light's most tender I fear its vanishing.

Lips, where passion keepeth Holiest incense, bend to mine;

But when woman speaketh, Who would trust so false a shrine?

Even in twined caresses Where love has woven his spells, Of the mutual love that blesses, I hear a voice which tells.

As light with darkness weddeth, So must pleasure with annoy, And sorrow ever treadeth On the doomed path of joy.

A WARNING.

FROM THE DANISH.