Classic Poem

I.

I N Life's divine and wondrous song,
Youth's invocation swells
To Manhood's warfare fierce and vain,
Which Age serenely tells;
Yet blissful moments intervene.
Where Eden's glory dwells.

II.

And these the bard should ever strive,
By numbers sweet and terse,
To consecrate for other souls
In his melodious verse;
Then list, while I, with humble zeal,
One episode rehearse.

III.

Two pilgrims — Nature's offspring brave,
had roamed the world apart,
And mingled gently with their kind,
Companionless in heart,
With longings for the unattained,
In home, and church, and mart.

IV.

The Autumn noon in golden warmth,
Lay bright on hill and streams,
And round them, like a halo, threw
Its clear and mellow beams,
Until their spirits seemed to breathe
The atmosphere of dreams.

V.

Then from between his voice and mind,
Passed off the chilling spell,
In that mild hour's kind embrace,
He dared his love to tell;
And trembling words grew softly bold,
As from his lips they fell.

VI.

There flitted o'er her angel face
A shade of meek surprise,
And yet the hand was not withdrawn,
Nor turned aside the eyes;
He felt assurance blest and true
Within his bosom rise.

VII.

She looked upon the yellow maize,
With thoughtfulness awhile,
Glanced upward to the peaceful sky,
Then bent on him a smile,
Whose mournful beauty evermore
Remembrance will beguile.

VIII.

" As thou dost love me, " — every word
Was stamped upon his brain —
" As thou dost love me, O speak not
Upon this theme again!
Unless thou wouldst complacently
Inflict a needless pain.

IX.

" And look not with that tender gaze
So eloquently fond,
Nor murmur those devoted tones,
For on me there's a bond, —
A patient vestal here I wait,
And only hope beyond!

X.

" My path lies up the lonely steep,
O tempt me not below!
Where herbage, air, and sunshine meet
In one transporting glow,
And Life's meandering waters yield
Wild music as they flow.