Blest art! What magic powers with thine may vie, That brings (too seldom seen) a Brother nigh? That gives, by colours into canvass wrought, The hue of sentiment, and tinge of thought? The lips, with soft affection's smile that glow, And the mild wisdom of the studious brow? I look, again I look, and still 'tis there; I catch, with varying lights, a happier air; Approach, step back, the favouring distance choose, And, line by line, the well known face peruse: Almost expect the opening lips to pour With usual flow the treasured mental store, And fondly dream our meeting glances prove The' accustomed beamings of fraternal love. But O! should fate in some disastrous day, -- Avert it Heaven! -- the living form decay; Hide, hide, ye pitying friends, the mimic light, Veil, veil the image from my tortured sight; The shadow of past joys I could not bear, Nor would it speak of comfort, but despair. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE MAD WOMAN'S SONG by KAREN SWENSON THE GARDEN OF LOVE, FR. SONGS OF EXPERIENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE THE RESPECTABLE BURGHER, ON 'THE HIGHER CRITICISM' by THOMAS HARDY THE MARTYRS OF THE MAINE by RUPERT HUGHES SATIRE: 1. TO JOHN POYNZ (POINS) by THOMAS WYATT THE INTREPID MARINER by WILLIAM ROSE BENET |