Poems (Frances Elizabeth Browne)/To Mrs. G. W.
TO MRS. G. W.
I 'll twine for thee a minstrel wreath,
And pure affection o'er it breathe;
And, simple though my offering be,
I 'll wake a poet's lyre for thee.
And pure affection o'er it breathe;
And, simple though my offering be,
I 'll wake a poet's lyre for thee.
My sister!—yes, in name and heart
All which that word conveys thou art;
As dear, as loved, as thou couldst be
Had the same parent nurtured thee!—
All which that word conveys thou art;
As dear, as loved, as thou couldst be
Had the same parent nurtured thee!—
I will not in these simple lays
Offend thine ear with idle praise,
Nor deck with hyperboles of art
A playful tribute of the heart.
Offend thine ear with idle praise,
Nor deck with hyperboles of art
A playful tribute of the heart.
The brightest proof esteem supplies
Of worth from whence it must arise,
And flattery grateful and most dear
To hearts like yours, is love sincere.
Of worth from whence it must arise,
And flattery grateful and most dear
To hearts like yours, is love sincere.
These both are thine, and may they bless
Each coming year with happiness,
And may thy fate through life be proved
As happy as thou art beloved!
Each coming year with happiness,
And may thy fate through life be proved
As happy as thou art beloved!
Yet, as no mortal ear may meet
With bliss full, perfect, and complete,
And drops imbued with bitterest gall
Are mingled in the cup of all,
With bliss full, perfect, and complete,
And drops imbued with bitterest gall
Are mingled in the cup of all,
O, may those drops, by Heaven designed
To purify the heart and mind,
Raise us above the cares of earth,
And teach us things of real worth!
To purify the heart and mind,
Raise us above the cares of earth,
And teach us things of real worth!
Make us resigned, submissive, meek,
And things above desire and seek!
Transformed to blessings, only prove
A tender Parent's watchful love!
And things above desire and seek!
Transformed to blessings, only prove
A tender Parent's watchful love!