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HER VERSES: A LYRICAL ROMANCE.

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THE LEGACY.

HER verses,

where she lies

The tall trees bend and whisper;

Soft voices from the skies

Recall the tuneful lisper :

The sunny nooks she loved,
Her flower-beds untended,
Afflict us with neglect,

Like fair things ill-befriended.

Yet 'tis so merciful

That Time wipes out our traces,

And that the thick-set moss

Grows o'er our darkened faces,

Till but some faithful heart

Our faded traits comprises,

And sorrow, dead in earth,

In harmless beauty rises.

She had a guileless heart,

And Life was rude to grieve it;

She had a soul of fire,

And Heaven is kind to shrive it :

The years are past that said,
"Keep long this seal unbroken;

But, when my name's forgot,
Then let my words be spoken."

So, standing at her grave,

With trembling hands I gather

The blossoms of her life,

Bedimmed with rust and weather.

O World! while thus I wave

Her dead hand's blessing o'er thee, Think 'tis my other self

Whose heart lies bare before thee.

BLUSHES.

I CANNOT make him know my love;
Nor from myself conceal

The pangs that rankle in my breast,
Sharper than flame or steel.

Could I but reach a hand to him,

My very finger's thrill

Would close, like tendrils, round the strength

Of his beloved will.

Could I but lift mine eyes to his,

My glowing soul, unrolled,

Would flash like sunset on his sight,

In fiery red and gold.

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