Classic Poem

I

No — not in thee! the spiritual flame
To burn hereafter must be lighted here: —
What though for some brief moments thou wast dear,
Dear as my hope of Heaven or love of Fame,
And thy clear mind fond Fancy deemed the same
As hers I pictured in that starry sphere,
Beyond this world's reproach and sin and shame?
Thy vision vanished quickly as it came;
Since thy own hand before it dropped the veil,
Words of thy own dispelled the fairy light!
Love only lives on Faith: when that doth fail,
In the soul's firmament prevaileth Night.
Love cannot always brook mistrust and blame,
Nor lend to Friendship's ice his summer-kindled name!

II

Yes, pray for me! pray with a contrite heart
For one most deeply wronged by man and thee —
Pray, that my soul may, like a bird set free,
Soar upward to rejoin that brighter part
Sought for — how vainly! in the busy mart
Of care and toil — our common destiny —
Where every breeze may waft a venom'd dart,
And every rose conceal a stinging bee.
Pray that sweet Peace and gentle Charity
May, like two angels, come and visit me,
As to the patriarch's tent, in times of old,
Came messengers from God, in meek array;
So will I " entertain " them, and enfold
Their wings around my soul through life's o'ershadowed day!