BLIND LOUISE.

She knew that she was growing blind—
Forsaw the dreary night
That soon would fall, without a star,
Upon her fading sight:

Yet never did she make complaint,
But pray'd each day might bring
A beauty to her waning eyes—
The loveliness of Spring!

She dreaded that eclipse which might
Perpetually inclose
Sad memories of a leafless world—
A spectral realm of snows.

She'd rather that the verdure left
An evergreen to shine
Within her heart, as summer leaves
Its memory on the pine.

She had her wish: for when the sun
O'erhung his eastern towers,
And shed his benediction on
A world of May-time flowers—

We found her seated, as of old,
In her accustom'd place,
A midnight in her sightless eyes,
And morn upon her face!