Maidenhood

MAIDEN! with the meek brown eyes  
In whose orbs a shadow lies 
Like the dusk in evening skies! 

Thou whose locks outshine the sun  
Golden tresses wreathed in one 5 
As the braided streamlets run! 

Standing with reluctant feet  
Where the brook and river meet  
Womanhood and childhood fleet! 

Gazing with a timid glance 10 
On the brooklet's swift advance  
On the river's broad expanse! 

Deep and still that gliding stream 
Beautiful to thee must seem  
As the river of a dream. 15 

Then why pause with indecision  
When bright angels in thy vision 
Beckon thee to fields Elysian? 

Seest thou shadows sailing by  
As the dove with startled eye 20 
Sees the falcon's shadow fly? 

Hearest thou voices on the shore  
That our ears perceive no more  
Deafened by the cataract's roar? 

Oh thou child of many prayers! 25 
Life hath quicksands Life hath snares! 
Care and age come unawares! 

Like the swell of some sweet tune 
Morning rises into noon  
May glides onward into June. 30 

Childhood is the bough where slumbered 
Birds and blossoms many numbered;¡ª 
Age that bough with snows encumbered. 

Gather then each flower that grows  
When the young heart overflows 35 
To embalm that tent of snows. 

Bear a lily in thy hand; 
Gates of brass cannot withstand 
One touch of that magic wand. 

Bear through sorrow wrong and ruth 40 
In thy heart the dew of youth  
On thy lips the smile of truth. 

O that dew like balm shall steal 
Into wounds that cannot heal 
Even as sleep our eyes doth seal; 45 

And that smile like sunshine dart 
Into many a sunless heart  
For a smile of God thou art. 

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