Poems (Ripley)/The Favorite Gown
THE FAVORITE GOWN
Ah there are gowns most exquisite Of rich materials wrought; Of velvets rich and satins soft, In foreign countries sought; Of laces caught and fashioned so: In many a jeweled knot.—
Ah there are gowns like spider's webs, With jewels thickly sown: Where seed-pearls gleam in rich array, Caught from the ocean's foam; And diamonds glimmer like dew drops, And in rich lace find room.
Ah this was at the opera worn, And that a ball-room graced, While waltzing lightly with her love, His arm about her waist; And at a banquet hall this gown: With golden trappings laced.
Ah, all these gowns so rich and rare Are of the world a part; And lightly-worded flatteries Into the memory start: The corteous bow and hollow smile, Revealing no true heart.
The richest gown in all the world— The loveliest to me—Though wrought of silken fabric soft To suit a high degree,Or only of soft muslin wrought It matters not to me:
Is the dear gown that's worn at home Far from the world apart.—No hollow words of flattery Into the memory start: The associations of this gown Are true love from the heart.
The dearest treasures earth can give Are associated here: Soft, clinging arms and kisses sweet Of little children dear, And noble love, that glorifies, And brings sweet heaven near.