Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONNET: TO THE FIRST SNOWDROP by CONSTANCE CAROLINE WOODHILL NADEN

First Line: FAIR, SUNNY-HEARTED CHILD OF MANY TEARS!
Last Line: HER HEART, LIKE THINE, IS LIT WITH VESTAL FIRE.
Subject(s): SNOW;
FAIR, sunny-hearted child of many tears!
Thou, while thy mother Earth forsaken slept,
Didst gather to thyself pure hopes, that crept
Through stormy dreams; and now the sun appears,
White buds reflect each rare faint smile, that cheers
The home where thine unshapen germ was kept,
Safe in deep midnight, while the heavens wept,
Or hung the shuddering trees with frosty spears.

Now springs to life and light each buried joy,
With broken music and with tearful glow,
With drooping blossoms, winter-pale and coy;
For Love shall soon fulfil her long desire --
Her face and breast are memories of snow,
Her heart, like thine, is lit with vestal fire.





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