Classic Poem

Some covet earthly fame, some seek to gain a name,
Some snatch at laurels that soon fade away;
Some on ‘proud honour's field,’ grasping the sword and shield,
Rear their proud crests in the midst of the fray.

Some plough the ocean old, some live to heap up gold,
Some strive to manage the helm of the State;
But my ambition is naught more or less than this,
To live in the love of my beautiful Kate.

Her hair is of silvery hue, her eyes are of softest blue,
Her breath is as sweet as the rose on the lea,
And like a joyous spring lovingly murmuring,
So seems her gentle voice whispering to me.

Soft is her sunny smile, free from all taint of guile;
Clear is her heart from all feelings of hate;
Pure as the snowy flake, smooth as the glassy lake,
Is the fair bosom of beautiful Kate.

Oh, that it were our lot in some sequestered spot
Where the sweet summer eternally stays,
Where the soft sighing gales play through the mystic vales,
Calmly to live till the end of our days.

While we were blessed with health, I'd never sigh for wealth,
I'd never envy the lot of the great;
In her fond loving kiss I would know perfect bliss,
Riches I'd find in the heart of my Kate.

There at the noontide heat, on the fair arbour seat,
Together we 'd sit and gaze into the stream,
Rolling its tide along sweet as the linnet's song,
Bright as the hues of a young poet's dream.

No grief or worldly strife e'er should embitter life,
No gloom or shadow on us lay its weight;
Into our happy home no cankering care should come;
Nothing should sadden the heart of my Kate.

And at the dewy eve, there would we sit and weave
Tissues as bright as the butterfly's wings,
Dreams of a world afar in the pale evening star,
Visions of love and all beautiful things.

There we'd find lasting bliss, pleasure and happiness,
Nothing so dear as our own garden-gate;
Nothing so calm and still as the pure winding rill;
Nothing so sweet as the smile of my Kate.

There we'd find perfect joy, pleasures without alloy;
There we would revel in rivers of love;
There would all turmoils cease, there would we dwell in peace,
Tasting the joys of the ransomed above.

And when I felt the breath of the grim King of Death
Whisper the fast-coming end of my date,
Calmly I would repose, and at life's evening's close
Breathe forth my soul on the bosom of Kate.


Softly, what do I hear falling upon my ear,
Like the soft voice of an angel of light—
Lo, thou hast dreamed away all the long summer day;
Rouse thee, and join in mortality's fight.

‘Join in the onward strife, strive for the upward life;
Never rebel 'gainst the mandates of Fate,—
Cherish a noble aim, struggle to gain a name;
Live to be worthy the love of thy Kate.’