Poems (Hooper)/Lemira
LEMIRA.
Mine eyes are burning, my heart is aching,
With bitter burden of unshed tears,
The shadow of Death has sudden fallen
Across bright mem'ries of sunny years.
Nightly my thanks unto God I uttered
For one true friendship that I had won,
Now in my anguish I cry, despairing,
Who will love me as you have done?
With bitter burden of unshed tears,
The shadow of Death has sudden fallen
Across bright mem'ries of sunny years.
Nightly my thanks unto God I uttered
For one true friendship that I had won,
Now in my anguish I cry, despairing,
Who will love me as you have done?
Fourteen years we have loved each other,
And never a cloud came over their sun,
Never a look, and never a whisper,
Never an action I'd have undone.
Oh, gentle heart that I loved so dearly!
How bitter to-day were the tears I shed,
Could I remember I e'er had spoken
One word to you, dear, that I'd wish unsaid.
And never a cloud came over their sun,
Never a look, and never a whisper,
Never an action I'd have undone.
Oh, gentle heart that I loved so dearly!
How bitter to-day were the tears I shed,
Could I remember I e'er had spoken
One word to you, dear, that I'd wish unsaid.
No, I have wounded or wronged you never,
Like to your own was the love I gave.
Now on our long and unclouded friendship
Falls the first shadow—'tis from your grave.
Death our affection hath consecrated,
Come what chances and change what may,
Nothing can change the olden loving,
Nothing can steal your heart away.
Like to your own was the love I gave.
Now on our long and unclouded friendship
Falls the first shadow—'tis from your grave.
Death our affection hath consecrated,
Come what chances and change what may,
Nothing can change the olden loving,
Nothing can steal your heart away.
Somewhere, somewhere, I know you love me,
Out of hearing and out of sight.
Once, by the chances of War divided,
We loved and trusted in Fate's despite.
And still I trust you. No change has touched you,
For you were so near to angelhood,
You had but to drop your soul's clay vesture,
And there the perfected angel stood.
Out of hearing and out of sight.
Once, by the chances of War divided,
We loved and trusted in Fate's despite.
And still I trust you. No change has touched you,
For you were so near to angelhood,
You had but to drop your soul's clay vesture,
And there the perfected angel stood.
Oh, darling! darling! my tears are streaming,
They are the first you e'er caused me shed;
Oh for the touch of your loving kisses!
Oh for the sound of fond words you've said!
Still in my anguish, I thank God ever
For that dear life that has passed away;
I'd rather have you, O my dead darling!
Than a thousand of living friends to day.
They are the first you e'er caused me shed;
Oh for the touch of your loving kisses!
Oh for the sound of fond words you've said!
Still in my anguish, I thank God ever
For that dear life that has passed away;
I'd rather have you, O my dead darling!
Than a thousand of living friends to day.