Poems (Osgood)/A Song (Braid not the jewel)
For works with similar titles, see A Song.
A SONG.
Braid not the jewel, Love, in thy hair! For such adornment Thou art too fair.
Suits not the diamond Tresses so light, Floating like golden mist, Changefully bright.
Weave its wild lustre Thro' the dark braids, Whose raven cluster Helen's eye shades!
There will its splendor Fittingly play; Thou art too tender For such array.
Take this white rose, love, Stainless as thou, Let it repose, love, By thy fair brow!
And as its fragrance Softly steals by, Sweet as thy balmy breath, Pure as thy sigh,
Think of the lover, In whose food sight, No gem of Ophir Makes thee more bright!