A Century of Emblems Part 7

THE FRIENDLY THORN.

I thought an asp had stung my hand While thridding Narnis' fragrant wood, When lo! in purpling blushes grand, As if my homage to command, The queen of all wild roses stood.

The captive beauty soon I bound My lady's bosom to adorn,-- Beauty whose joy I ne'er had found, Upon that tangled briery mound, But for the sharp and friendly thorn.

So hearts that slept from hour to hour, Pierced to the quick by sorrow's cry, Awake to fresh inspiring power, And clasp Faith's brightest purest flower, The rose divine of Charity.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

HAPPINESS.

To figure true felicity This picture doth intend, A pleasant road, sweet company, And G.o.d's house at the end.

BRIDEGROOM TO BRIDE.

To the happy all things are heavenly.

Where'er I turn this blessed day, 'Tis heaven and sunshine every way; With heavenly songs and heavenly hues, Mingle the birds, and flowers, and dews.

Lo! here within the crystal moat Heaven's clouds like radiant islands float, And high above the golden hill Smiles heavenly summer blue and still.

I gaze into thy loving eyes, Heaven there in twofold azure lies; And when I glance into my heart, 'Tis heaven indeed--for there thou art!

THE EAR-RING.

An ear-ring you devise For your affianced girl; No diamond will suffice, Nor wealth of l.u.s.trous pearl,

But call her "dearest dear,"

Swear nought your love shall sever, If true, you deck her ear With gems that shine for ever.

THE GARDEN POOL.

Charmed by the lily's golden eye, I rest upon this margin cool, And think what leagues of azure sky Are mirrored in the tiny pool.

Delicious emblem of the mind Whose fancy rules this bright parterre, Ever 'mid sweetest flowers I find The depths of heaven reflected there.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE SCARECROW.

"O Bella! what strange wight is there, Dark on the evening sky, With flowing cloak, and streaming hair, And head so grandly high?

I feel a throbbing at my heart, For William 'tis too soon; See how he waves his arms apart Saluting the new moon!

Oh, clear as daylight is the truth, Blinder than bats were we, It is the long-haired foreign youth Who sang last night to me.

He sang of Fatherland and Rhine; Hush, O provoking cow!

I heard the sweet preluding line, The whispering notes, I vow."

But nearer as they drew to see, O phantasy forlorn!

They find for love and melody A scarecrow in the corn.

WE JUDGE OTHERS BY OURSELVES.

Here within this golden grove, Paved with many a purple flower, Here I sit and wait my love Through the May-day's parting hour.

Where the budding gnomons throw Lengthening shadows far and near, Mute I sit as man of snow, Till my darling's voice I hear.

Ah! your mirth my pa.s.sion stirs, Mine who am so old and frail; Bear with me, O l.u.s.ty sirs!

For my love's the nightingale.

THE LAY FIGURE.

Vanita che par persona.--DANTE, _Inf. 6_.

There smirks in many a painter's room, With padded limbs and varnished face, A quaint machine that can a.s.sume Each att.i.tude that art would trace.

This doll adult, when featly tired, Can all that's great or fair display, Warrior, or dame, or saint inspired, Prince, troubadour, or lovely may.

And far beyond the studio's bound, In court and camp, in church or mart, Living machines like this are found, Which lure the eye but mock the heart.