Classic Poem

Once a Fairy called the Heart,
In a ruby Palace reigned;
More than kingdoms can impart—
More than wealth that Fairy gained!
He had armies, brave and strong;
Feelings high—Emotions true—
Passions that to gods belong—
Hosts which at his bidding flew!
From his Palace-chamber, small,
Ruby-built, and deep impearl'd,
Sent he missions unto all—
And his mandates ruled the World!

Sunbeams led by butterflies;—
Golden prisoners, beauty-bound!
Dragon moths of myriad dyes,
Swept like rainbows o'er the ground!
'Twas a spot for childhood made—
Never shone the Fairy's power
As when merry childhood played—
Laughed and played from hour to hour!
Whilst the breath of Innocence
Soft and sweet as seraphs' own;
Lent a soul-like charm intense
Like that balm of heaven, known
When the slumbering spirit dreams
Of some home beyond the earth;
Guarded by immortal birth!
Shadows of immortal birth!
When the eyes of childhood see
More than childhood's lips may tell;
Glimpses of eternity
Where the happy angels dwell!

From the Palace fount withdrawn
Flowing with a silver gleam,—
Full of music as the Morn—
Endless ran Affection's Stream!
O'er its cool and calm retreat,
Like a coral gem above,
Bent a flower, surpassing sweet,
And its name was Mother's Love!
Full amidst the bliss and bloom
Of that world of leaves and flowers,
Midst its music—mirth—perfume—
Summer wreaths and sylvan bowers—
Two fair children caught the sight,
One a boy—a gladsome boy—
Rosy with intense delight;
Holding, like some precious toy,
Purple poppies o'er his head;
Roses on his careless knee;
Whilst his beauteous sister shed
Smiles, like sunlight, o'er the Three—
Rose and boy and poppy there;—
Ne'er was life—was love more fair!

But an Elf beside the gate
Linger'd—'till the dawn of day
Shewed he might no longer wait;
So his shadow passed away.
With the eve again he came,
Making darkness seem like light;
And his eyes of emerald flame
Held dominion o'er the Night!
Half of wonder, half alarm,
Like a dream of danger near;
Yet the mystery of that charm
Mixt a pleasure with the fear!
And he sung of Life—a theme
That made Truth involve a bane!
Made Affection's waters seem
Darker than Affliction's rain!
And he sang—the traitor Elf—
Of a World so bright and dear,
As made Paradise itself
Seem some mean, inferior, sphere!

Long he sang—and long he told—
Of a far—a mightier throne—
In a City built of Gold,
Where the Heart was never known!
Hours they listen'd, and were caught
With his glitter and his pride;
Never once, alas, they thought
What those Golden walls might hide!
Never once they thought how poor
Gold, without a Heart, might prove;
That no riches could endure
Like the riches born of Love!
Never thought they how we find
Sorrow 'neath a spangled suit,
Painted mask and Sin behind!
Golden rind and bitter fruit!
What is all the golden dew
All the golden city yields
To that Stream of Bliss, they knew
In the Heart's Elysian fields?
Weary days and nights they wept
With a sorrow none may tell,
Would, they cried, that we had kept
Where that fairy Heart doth dwell.