Poems (Hornblower)/Si Deresis Pereo
SI DESERIS PEREO.
He seemed to love her—and her youthful cheek Wore for awhile the transient bloom of joy,And her heart throbbed with hopes she could not speak, New to delight, and mute in ecstasy;He won that heart in its simplicity, All undisguised in its young tenderness,And smiling saw that he, and only he, Had power at once to wound it, or to bless.
She gave to him her innocent affection, And the warm feelings of her guileless breast;And from the storms of life she sought protection In his dear love, her home of earthly rest: In this sweet trust her opening days were blessed, And joyously she hailed her coming years,For well she knew that even if distressed, There would he one kind hand to dry her tears.
He left her—and in trouble she awoke From her young dream of bliss, but murmured notOver her secret sufferings,nor spoke To any one upon her cruel lot;You would have deemed that he had been forgot, Or that her heart was callous to the stroke;But on her cheek there was one hectic spot— 'T was little—but it told her heart was broke!
And deeper and more deep the painful flush Daily became, but all distress seemed o'er,Save when the life-blood gave a sudden rush, Then faded into paleness as before;At once too proud, too humble to deplore, She bowed her head in quietness:—she knewHer faded prospects could revive no more, Yet was she calm, for she had heaven in view.
She loved and she forgave him—and in dying She asked a blessing on his future years;And so she went to sleep, meekly relying Upon that Power which shall efface all tears.— Her simple turf the young spring floweret wears, And the pale primrose grows upon her tomb;And when the storm its little blossom tears, It bows its head—an emblem of her doom!