Poems (Osgood)/The Unexpected Declaration

by Frances Sargent Osgood

THE UNEXPECTED DECLARATION.

"Azure-eyed Eloise! beauty is thine,
Passion kneels to thee, and calls thee divine;
Minstrels awaken the lute with thy name;
Poets have gladden'd the world with thy fame;
Painters, half holy, thy loved image keep;
Beautiful Eloise! why do you weep?"

Still bows the lady her light tresses low,—
Fast the warm tears from her veiled eyes flow!

"Sunny-hair'd Eloise! wealth is thine own;
Rich is thy silken robe—bright is thy zone;
Proudly the jewel illumines thy way;
Clear rubies rival thy ruddy lip's play;
Diamonds like star-drops thy silken braids deck;
Pearls waste their snow on thy lovelier neck;
Luxury softens thy pillow for sleep—
Angels watch over it!—Why do you weep?"

Bows the fair lady her light tresses low,—
Faster the tears from her veiled eyes flow!

"Gifted and worshipp'd one! Genius and Grace
Play in each motion, and beam in thy face:
When from thy rosy lip rises the song,
Hearts that adore thee the echo prolong!
Ne'er in the festival shone an eye brighter,
Ne'er in the mazy dance fell a foot lighter.
One only spirit thou'st fail'd to bring down,—
Exquisite Eloise! why do you frown?"

Swift o'er her forehead a dark shadow stole,
Sent from the tempest of pride in her soul!

"Touch'd by thy sweetness—in love with thy grace—
Charm'd by the magic of mind in thy face—
Bewitch'd by thy beauty—e'en his haughty strength—
The strength of the stoic, is conquer'd at length!
Lo! at thy feet—see him kneeling the while—
Eloise! Eloise! why do yon smile?"

The hand was withdrawn from her happy blue eyes,
She gazed on her lover with laughing surprise;
While the dimple and blush, stealing soft to her cheek,
Told the tale that her tongue was too timid to speak!