Poems (McDonald)/The Love Letter

by Mary Noel McDonald

THE LOVE LETTER.

suggested by a picture.

Lady, in thy summer bower,
Sure, enchantment rules the hour!
All around thee seems so bright
With the sunbeam's mellowed light,
Through the twisted branches streaming—
On each leaf and floweret gleaming—
Resting on thy dark brown hair,
In a crown a queen might wear;
And a robe of golden light
Flinging o'er thy shoulder white.

Pleasant breezes fan thy cheek,
Blushing flowers thy care bespeak;
Birds upon the branching tree
Warble forth their melody;
And the hum-bird glances by,
With the gauze-winged butterfly,
Tossing in the summer air,
As bright gems were floating there.
All is lovely, fair, and free—
Nature's banquet spread for thee.

Vain each charm that haunts thy bower:
They have lost their wonted power;
Flowers may blossom, birds may sing,
Zephyrs roam on fragrant wing,
Insects hum, and sunbeams fall,
Thou art heedless of them all.
What to thee the azure sky?
What the song-bird's minstrelsy?
What the flush of summer day?
Thou, in thought, art far away,
Roving with thy distant lover,
Other climes and countries over.

On the written page thine eye
Resteth now most earnestly,
As its burning words reveal
Love, nor time nor change may steal
Love in every line confessed;
Gentle maiden thou art blessed!
Bird, and flower, and sunny gleam,
Cannot lure thee from thy dream.