THE gusty and passionate March hath died; And now in the golden April-tide There sits in the shade of her jasmine bower A maid more fair than an April flower. The delicate curve of her perfect mouth, Whose tints grow warm in the fervid South, She stoops to press, as she murmurs low, On a note upraised in her hand of snow. What words are writ on the tiny scroll? What thoughts lie deep in the maiden's soul? Oh, is it with bliss of her love she sighs? Is the light but love's in those shy brown eyes? So thinks the mock-bird trilling his lay On the tremulous top of the lilac spray; He views the maid, on his perch apart, And his song is meant for her secret heart. So thinks the breeze, for its frolic free With the rose's stem, and the wing o' the bee It leaves, to sigh in the maiden's ear, "He is coming, sweet! he is almost here!" So thinks the sun, for his ardent beams Grow mellow and soft as a virgin's dreams, Through the vine-leaf shadows steal coyly down, And she wears his light like a bridal crown. Let the songster trill, and the breezes sigh, And the sun weave crowns of his light i' the sky; She heeds them not, for a step is heard, And her soul leaps up like a startled bird -- Her soul leaps up, but it is not fear: He is coming, sweet! he is here! is here! And she flies to his bosom, (ah! panting dove), And is folded home on the heart of love! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LOVE AND DEATH by SARA TEASDALE SONNET: IN ABSENCE FROM BECCHINA by CECCO ANGIOLIERI DA SIENA HAMATREYA by RALPH WALDO EMERSON PENITENTIAL PSALM by THOMAS WYATT THE FIRST BREAK by ALEXANDER ANDERSON PATRIOTIC SONG by ERNST MORITZ ARNDT GREAT DAYS by CHARLES WILLIAM BRODRIBB |