Poems (Campbell)/To the Misses ＊******
TO THE MISSES ＊ * * * * * *.
Sweet flow'rs! that in the rural shade Have blown so spotless and so fair,By nature's lavish hand array'd, And rear'd with fond parental care—
Health, innocence, and beauty glow Upon each fair and blushing cheek;And yellow tresses on each brow Veil the blue eye that seems to speak.
Alas! their kind protecting shade Has fall'n too early to the ground;And, in the house of mourning laid, His tender flow'rets droop around.
And shall the blasts of sorrow bend These lovely, fragile blossoms low?No,—pitying Heav'n will still befriend, And shield their gentle hearts from woe!
Forlorn and drear, sweet girls! by you Perhaps each coming hour is seen;But life will brighten on your view, And nature wear her brightest green.
And faith with patience still endures— Then sink not under grief and care,For youth and innocence like your's, Shall claim e'en Heav'n's protecting care!