Poems (Rice)/Lines affectionately inscribed to Mrs. D. W. G.

by Maria Theresa Rice

LINES AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED TO MRS. D. W. G., BEFORE HER DEPARTURE FOR WASHINGTON.

LADY, here, where toil and pleasure
 Alternate to pass the day,
I'll devote this hour of leisure;
 Singing thee a simple lay.
Years have passed since our first meeting;
 Well do I remember how
Thy voice, so rich, it filled in greeting
 Me, dear lady, then, as now.

There are touching, aye, entrancing
 Voices, lovely like a spell,
Charming all the hours, enhancing
 Life wherever we may dwell:
Thou hast read of halcyon hours,
 Hast thou never lived them there
In those quiet lovely bowers,
 Blooming with delight so rare?

Ah! the heart is ever longing,
 Waiting for some coming joy;
What though ere the morrow's dawning,
 Fate may all our dreams destroy:
All the bliss that mortal ever
 Tasted in this world below,
All that springs from love and virtue,
 May it still be thine to know.

Fate is now our walks dividing,
 On this transitory sphere;
Yet within this love abiding,
 May we be to each as dear;
May the paths to elevation,
 Both of honor and of fame,
In the history of our nation,
 Bear for years a spotless name.

This is truly humble music—
 Fail it may to reach the heart;
Though my muse prove light and fickle,
 Deem not me a counterpart;
Long as my sad heart retaineth
 Memories pure and wishes rare,
Long as hope and love remaineth,
 Look, dear lady, for a share.