My Child, Honoria Churchill sways A double power through Charlotte Hayes In minds to first-love's memory pledged The second Cupid's born full-fledged. I saw, and trembled for the day When you should see her beauty, gay And pure as apple-blooms, that show Outside a blush and inside snow, Her high and touching elegance Of order'd life as free as chance. Ah, haste from her bewitching side, No friend for you, far less a bride! But, warning from a hope so wild, I wrong you. Yet this know, my Child: He that but once too nearly hears The music of forefended spheres, Is thenceforth lonely, and for all His days like one who treads the Wall Of China, and, on this hand, sees Cities and their civilities, And, on the other, lions. Well, (Your rash reply I thus foretell,) Good is the knowledge of what's fair, Though bought with temporal despair! Yes, good for one, but not for two. Will it content a wife that you Should pine for love, in love's embrace, Through having known a happier grace; And break with inward sighs your rest, Because, though good, she's not the best? You would, you think, be just and kind, And keep your counsel! You will find You cannot such a secret keep; 'Twill out, like murder, in your sleep; A touch will tell it, though, for pride, She may her bitter knowledge hide; And, while she accepts love's make-believe, You'll twice despise what you'd deceive. I send the books. Dear Child, adieu! Tell me of all you are and do. I know, thank God, whate'er it be, 'Twill need no veil 'twixt you and me. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LINCOLN by NICHOLAS VACHEL LINDSAY THE LITTLE HILL by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY THE AGED LOVER RENOUNCETH LOVE by THOMAS VAUX IN LIGHTER VEIN by ELIZABETH KEMPER ADAMS OUT A-NUTTEN by WILLIAM BARNES TAKING IT FROM THE BOY by CHARLES WILLIAM BRODRIBB THE UNRETURNING by BLISS CARMAN |