Fringilla: Some Tales in Verse by Richard Doddridge Blackmore (reading list .txt) 📕

fortune might divide the pair,
She ne'er could separate them.

I blushed, and stammered at her touch,
I feared to beg for either;
My heart was in my mouth so much,
I could say "Goodbye" to neither.

* * * * *

Two strings are wise for every bow,
To meet the change of weather;
And Cupid's shafts give softer blow,
When two are tied together.

Oh, Charlotte sweet, and Carry bright,
My whole, or double-half love,
Let no maturer wisdom slight
A simple tale of calf-love.

A blessing on the maiden grace,
That beautifies the real,
To make the world a fairer place,
And lift the low ideal!

If one, or both, by any chance,
Behold what I confess here,
Make auld lang syne of young romance,
By sending your address here.

And answer--as I trust you can,
When time is flying faster,
That he hath served you better than
Your humble poetaster.

* * * * *

Postscript (a Fact)

This have they done--and oh, by Jove,
Not altered by a fraction!
If then they were too sweet to love,
What are they now? Distraction.

Of course they must be ever young;
How could I be so stupid?
Time fell in love with both, and flung
His calendar to Cupid!

TO FAME

I

Right Fairy of the morn, with flowers arrayed,
Whose beauties to thy young pursuer seem
Beyond the ecstasy of poet's dream--
Shall I overtake thee, ere thy lustre fade?

II

Ripe glory of the noon, august, and proud,
A vision of high purpose, power, and skill,
That melteth into mirage of good-will--
Do I o'ertake thee, or embrace a cloud?

III

Gray shadow of the evening, gaunt and bare,
At random cast, beyond me or above,
And cold as memory in the arms of love--
If I o'ertook thee now, what should I care?

IV

"No morn, or noon, or eve am I," she said;

"But night--the depth of night behind the sun;
By all mankind pursued; but never won,
Until my shadow falls upon a shade."

1894.

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Publication Date: 09-02-2010

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