Page:The Poets and Poetry of the West.djvu/496

 480 MARY E. NEALY. [1850-GO. " Come hither! I've room for scores like Some few flowers within that desert thee — Sweetly bloom for me — Thou art weary of earth, I'm sure ! " Lady, there's a vacant corner Waiting there for thee 0, yes ! I'll come, sweet star ! With my chosen few, to thee : Lady, ever-blooming garlands And then the golden gates we'll bar, Round that tree entwine, And be careful never to leave them ajar. Which will live till death's dark angel For some I would leave on the earth afar Stills this heart of mine. Would be sure to follow me ! Yet each new wreath meets a welcome Warm and true from me — Wilt thou twine an ivy circlet. Lady, round my tree ? TO A LADY. Lady, bright and fragrant flowers In my garden bloom. UNREST. Shedding o'er my lone heart's altar Rich and rare perfume. Ah, why so sad, my soul ! Few they are, yet life without them Is not this bright earth filled with lovely Scarcely life would be, — things ? Lady, yet among those flow'rets 0, are they shadows, Father, from Thy There is room for thee. wings That o'er my spirit roll ? Lady, love hath wove a garland 'Round this heart of mine, Thou'st planted in my breast Friendship brings a few fair blossoms A boundless, deep and overflowing love In the wreath to twine. For all that's bright in earth and heaven They are more than all the jewels above. Earth could give to me — And yet I find no rest ! Lady, here, within that garland, My spirit wanders lone, Is a place for thee. Yearning and striving for a nobler life, — Ladv, some sweet stars are shining; tell me, tell why this ceaseless strife J 1 O O'er my lonely way. For that I have not known. In my spirit's depths enshrining Is it that I have come Friendship's purest ray. From some more blessed world than this ? Pouring beams of heaven's own gladness Afar O'er my life's dark sea — Amid yon blazing orbs is there a star Lady, 'mid those radiant star-gems Which is my native home ? Is a home for thee. 0, take me home once more ! Lady, life were like a desert, Unloose again my spirit's mighty wings, Or a naked tree. Take off the earth-mould that around it Unattended by the angels, clings, Love and Sympathy ; And let it upward soar.