Poems (Griffith)/The Urn of the Heart

by Mattie Griffith

The Urn of the Heart.

DEEP in my breast there is a sacred urn
I ever guard with holiest care, and keep
From the cold world's intrusion. It is filled
With dear and lovely treasures, that I prize
Above the gems that sparkle in the vales
Of Orient climes, or glitter in the crowns
Of sceptred kings.

          The priceless wealth of life
Within that urn is gathered. All the bright
And lovely jewels that the years have dropped
Around me from their pinions, in their swift
And noiseless flight to old Eternity,
Are treasured there. A thousand buds and flowers,
That the cool dews of life's young morning bathed,
That its soft gales fanned with their gentle wings,
And that its genial sunbeams warmed to life,
And fairy beauty 'mid the melodies
Of founts and singing birds, lie hoarded there,
Dead, dead, for ever dead! but, oh, as bright
And beautiful to me, as when they beamed
With Nature's radiant jewelry of dew.
And they have more than mortal sweetness now,
For the dear breath of loved ones, loved and lost,
Is mingling with their holy perfume.

A very miser, day and night I hide
The hoarded riches of my dear heart-urn.
Oft at the midnight's calm and silent hour,
When not a tone of living nature seems
To rise from all the lone and sleeping earth,
I lift the lid softly and noiselessly,
Lest some dark, wandering spirit of the air
Perchance should catch with his quick ear the sound,
And steal my treasures. With a glistening eye
And leaping pulse, I tell them o'er and o'er,
Musing on each, and hallow it with smiles,
And tears, and sighs, and fervent blessings.

                       Then
With soul as proud as if yon broad blue sky,
With all its bright and burning stars were mine,
But with a saddened heart, I close the lid,
And once again return to busy life,
To play my part amid its mockeries.