Page:Pocahontas, and Other Poems.djvu/321

 DEAF, DUMB, AND BLIND GIRL. 305

No ! still, with unambitious mind,

The needle's patient task to ply, At the full board her place to find,

Or close in sleep the placid eye ;

With order's unobtrusive charm

Her simple wardrobe to dispose ; To press of guiding care the arm,

And rove where autumn's bounty flows ;

With touch so exquisitely true,

That vision stands astonish 'd by, To recognise, with ardour due,

Some friend or benefactor nigh ;

Her hand 'mid childhood's curls to place, From fragrant buds the breath to steal ;

Of stranger-guest the brow to trace, Are pleasures left for her to feel.

And often o'er her hour of thought

Will burst a laugh of wildest glee, As if the living gems she caught

On wit's fantastic drapery.

As if, at length, relenting skies,

In pity to her doom severe, Had bade a mimic morning rise,

The chaos of the soul to cheer.

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