MEMORY has a sister fair, Blue-eyed, laughing, wild and glad, Oft she comes, with jocund air, When her twin-born would be sad; Hand-in-hand I love them best, And to neither traitor prove, Both can charm the aching breast, Scarce I know which most to love. Memory has a downcast face, Yet 'tis winning, sweet and mild, Then comes Hope, with cheerful grace, Like a bright enchanting child. Now, I kiss this rosy cheek, And the dimpling beam appears, Then, her pensive sister seek, She too smiles, through pleasant tears. Thus the heart a joy may take, Else it were but hard to win, And a quiet household make, Where no jealousies come in. If thy spirit be but true, Love like this is sure to last,— Happy he, who weds the two, Hopeful Future,—lovely Past. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AELLA: THE MINSTREL'S SONG by THOMAS CHATTERTON ON THE DEATHS OF THOMAS CARLYLE AND GEORGE ELIOT by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE IN MEMORIAM A.H.H.: 96 by ALFRED TENNYSON MY PRAYER by HENRY DAVID THOREAU TAKE HER, BREAK HER by ANACREON MARIA MINOR by MARGARET AVISON A SONNET. ON THE DEATH OF SYLVIA by PHILIP AYRES |