TO A CHILD EMBRACING HIS MOTHER. I. LOVE thy mother, little one! II. Gaze upon her living eyes, And mirror back her love for thee,Hereafter thou may'st shudder sighs To meet them when they cannot see. Gaze upon her living eyes! III. Press her lips the while they glow With love that they have often told,— Hereafter thou may'st press in woe, And kiss them till thine own are cold. Press her lips the while they glow! IV. Oh, revere her raven hair! Too early Death, led on by Care, * V. Pray for her at eve and morn, That Heaven may long the stroke defer,- For thou may'st live the hour forlorn When thou wilt ask to die with her. Pray for her at eve and morn! STANZAS I. FAREWELL Life! my senses swim, II. Welcome Life! the Spirit strives! April, 1845. TO A FALSE FRIEND. L OUR hands have met, but not our hearts; Friends, if we have ever been, I only know I loved in vain ; Our hands have met, but not our hearts; Our hands will never meet again! II. Then farewell to heart and hand! Our hands have join'd but not our hearts: THE POET'S PORTION. WHAT is a mine-a treasury—a dower— Before th' expectant buds upon the bough, Before its leafy presence; for indeed |