Page:Landon in Literary Gazette 1824.pdf/13

FRAGMENTS. Fifth Series. 12 Literary Gazette, 31st January, 1824, Page 74

REMEMBRANCE. That Portrait! aye, it was a lovely face. Those eyes, like violets on which the sun Has looked as favourites; the long dark lash, Sweet twilight to their playfulness; that brow, Open as morning, white as Indian pearl, Shadowed by those light clouds of pale brown hair, Braided by lilies pure as she herself:— It looks just what she was, all youth, all life, All girlish innocence and happiness. We were companions in our youth: we loved With that first love life never quite forgets. We parted,—parted too without a hope! Hope waits on Fortune. After many years I saw my early idol once again: How changed, yet still how very beautiful! Pride sat upon her brow, a reckless scorn Mingled with bitterness in each light word, And sorrow, ill concealed, seemed at her heart: Yet had she wedded, and won rank and wealth, But once we met; how deep the tenderness That softened her so lovely countenance, When, with a voice half music and half sorrow, She gently said, "The seared heart doth not break."