poems.
53
TO HARRIET B———.
Knowest thou the flower that closes its bright eye
Soon as the morning blushes in the sky;
But in the midnight darkness doth expand,
To throw its fragrance o'er the silent land?
Soon as the morning blushes in the sky;
But in the midnight darkness doth expand,
To throw its fragrance o'er the silent land?
E'en thus thy friendship, in the gloomy hour,
Sheds sweeter odour than the night's own flower;
It bloom'd not for me when 'twas bright above,
But gave in sorrow all its priceless love.
Sheds sweeter odour than the night's own flower;
It bloom'd not for me when 'twas bright above,
But gave in sorrow all its priceless love.
THE SAILOR-BOY.
(Written at the age of 11 years.)
Far from his home, o'er the dark blue sea,
No sound of earth or singing bird,
But the bracing air, so pure and free,
Amid the sails alone is heard
By the young sailor, yet he lives
A happy life; his hours are cheer'd
By such delight as freedom gives;
And when no danger can be fear'd,
How gaily pass the sunny hours
Upon the broad and glorious sea!
And though he sees no more the flow'rs,
Few are so happy, gay, as he!
No sound of earth or singing bird,
But the bracing air, so pure and free,
Amid the sails alone is heard
By the young sailor, yet he lives
A happy life; his hours are cheer'd
By such delight as freedom gives;
And when no danger can be fear'd,
How gaily pass the sunny hours
Upon the broad and glorious sea!
And though he sees no more the flow'rs,
Few are so happy, gay, as he!
1838.
