Public-domain source text

The Valentine

by Mary Weston Fordham

From Standard Ebooks · standardebooks/mary-weston-fordham_magnolia-leaves

Lady with thine eyes of beauty Rivaling cerulean flowers, Where the love-beams seem to linger, Throughout youth’s bright, sunny hours.
With thy smile of witching sweetness Like the magnet’s mystic art, Charming oft enchanting oft’ner, Drawing to thee every heart.
But, fair lady, I’ll no longer Linger thus o’er nature’s mould, ’Tis thy spirit’s beauty charms me, More than mines of Peru’s gold.
Like an exile who hath wandered Far from kindred and from home, Pants and longs once more to greet them, Never more on earth to roam;⁠—
Like the tempest-tossed, the weary, Who of earth ne’er had their part, Fain would land their stricken spirits Where heart answers unto heart;⁠—
So this bosom when overflowing With some latent, deadly grief, Loves to revel in the music Of thy voice to find relief.
And when joys do hover ’round me, Weaving chaplets rich and bright, I’d away from pleasures turn me To my beautiful “Starlight.”
Lady! could I seal thy future, All of bliss and love ’twould be; And when time with us is ended, Spend eternity with thee.

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This is a source transcription from Standard Ebooks, published in Past Poetry’s public-domain archive without line-by-line editorial notes. Public-domain source edition. Availability can vary by territory.

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