Page:Pieces People Ask For.djvu/64

54 The violets peer from their dusky beds,
 * With a tearful dew in their great, pure eyes;

The lilies quiver their shining heads,
 * Their pale lips full of sad surprise;

And the lizard glides through the glistening fern,
 * And the squirrel rustles the branches hoary;

Strange birds fly out with a cry, to bathe
 * Their wings in the sunset glory,
 * While the shadows pass

O'er the quiet face and the dewy grass.

God pity the bride who waits at home,
 * With her lily cheeks and her violet eyes,

Dreaming the sweet old dream of love,
 * While her lover is walking in paradise!

God strengthen her heart as the days go by,
 * And the long, drear nights of her vigil follow,

Nor bird, nor moon, nor whispering wind,
 * May breathe the tale of the hollow;
 * Alas! alas!

The secret's safe with the woodland grass.

DECORATION DAY.

by the clear river's side they wandered,
 * Hand in hand, on that perfect day;

He was young, handsome, brave, and tender,
 * She more sweet than the flowers of May.

He looked on her with brown eyes adoring,
 * Watching her blushes grow soft and deep;

"Darling," he said, with tones imploring,
 * "Shall we not ever the memory keep

"Of this bright day, so happy, so holy;
 * This sweetest hour my life has e'er known,

When you, dear, speaking gently and slowly,
 * Answered me 'Yes,' when I called you my own?"

Fair was the sky, the sunset, the river,
 * Wind in the trees, the water's low psalm,

Bird-song, scent of wild roses. Oh, never
 * Was there an hour more blissful and calm!