PLIGHTED.
My darling, my darling—yes, mine evermore, By the love that you give me to night,By the sea that is ceaselessly lashing the shore, By the stars that are glowing and bright!As pure as the pearls that lie under the wave Is the feeling I cherish for you;The stars to the angels no light ever gave More constant, enduring, and true.
The touch of your spirit came down upon mine, Like the infinite, exquisite lightIn the hearts of the dew-drops that glisten and shine On violets blooming at night.Ah! dearest, I knew that you loved me before Your lips ever gave me a sign;By the gleam of your eye and the look that it bore, By the touch of your hand upon mine.
By all those wordless and eloquent signs Of answering heart unto heart,
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PLIGHTED
As we know by the fragrance near tropical vines That flowers are bursting apart.And I read in those womanly signals my love, Sweet pledge of our "by-and-by,"As we see when the shadows are thickest above God's promise gleam out in the sky.
MY BABY'S SHOE.
A tiny shoe of shining bronze, With rumpled, blue rosette;The shape of baby's little toes Imprinted in it yet.
A dainty, pretty little thing, But dear—so dear to me;In memory of a little girl I never more may see.
A fair, sweet child, with golden hair That waved about her brow,And hung in floating, sunny curls Upon her neck of snow.
A dimpled, rosy baby cheek My lips have often pressed,When close against my loving heart It rested on my breast.
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