Poems (Eliza Gabriella Lewis)/On a Violet

by Eliza Gabriella Lewis

ON A VIOLET.

I placed thee on my breast, sweet flower;
There, thou did'st live thy little hour,
I pluck 'd thee not from nature's bower—
But he—whom I love best,
Gave thee to me, with sunny smile,
 One quiet moonlight night:
And though it seemeth a long while,
I cannot think that ought of guile
 Could dim that smile's pure light.

I prized the gift, but oh! much more
The sun-bright smile his features wore:
Ah! if these happy days are o'er,
Still of that smile I'll dream.
In vision, it will come to bless,
 When length'ning shadows fall;
And twilight, with her sombre dress
Stealeth around in loneliness,
 'Twill shed a gleam o'er all.