poems.
11
I met a friend and offered her
These gems from nature's breast,
She took them with a heartless smile,
A moment them caressed.
These gems from nature's breast,
She took them with a heartless smile,
A moment them caressed.
I saw my gift was lightly prized,
And trembled for its fate;
She coldly twirled them in her hand,
My fears did not abate.
And trembled for its fate;
She coldly twirled them in her hand,
My fears did not abate.
—One moment more—the nosegay lay
Despoiled upon the ground;
My cherished flowers were torn apart,
Their leaves all strewn around.
Despoiled upon the ground;
My cherished flowers were torn apart,
Their leaves all strewn around.
Oh, if not for the giver's sake
The offering thou didst prize,
Say, could it have no stronger claim
Upon thy heart, thine eyes?
The offering thou didst prize,
Say, could it have no stronger claim
Upon thy heart, thine eyes?
Who formed the little flowers I gave,
And called them into birth,
Investing them with fragrancy,
Was it some hand on earth?
And called them into birth,
Investing them with fragrancy,
Was it some hand on earth?
