CRADLE SONG
In the embers shining bright
A garden grows for thy delight,
With roses yellow, red, and white.
But, O my child, beware, beware!
Touch not the blossoms blowing there,
For every rose a thorn doth bear.
"NINE YEARS"
Nine years to heaven had flown,
And June came, with June's token—
The wild rose that had known
A maiden's silence broken.
'T was thus the lover spoke,
And thus she leaned and listened
(Below, the billows broke,
The blue sea shook and glistened):—
"We have been happy, Love,
Through bright and stormy weather,
Happy all hope above,
For we have been together.
"To meet, to love, to wed,—
Joy without stint or measure,—
This was our lot," he said,
"To find untouched our treasure;
"But had some blindfold fate
Bound each unto another—
To turn from Heaven's gate,
Each heart-throb hide and smother!
