AT THE SEASIDE.
O sun, with thy ardent glance,
Thou hast made my darling flush!
But the swarthier tints enhance
The charms of her modest blush.
Thou hast lent thy warmth and light
To the gleam of her melting eyes,
Till a glance in their depths so bright
Seems a peep into Paradise.
O sea, with thy great white arms,
Thou hast stolen my love from me!
Thou hast clasped to thy breast her charms;
She has rested her head on thee.
Thou hast tangled her silken hair,
And kissed her face and her lips—
Ah! Love, he is false! Beware
Of that spoiler of men and ships!
THE ORPHANS.
Shall walls have pity and man’s heart have none?
Shall walls protect and man refuse to aid?
At Christmas, when our children are arrayed
In furs, shall orphans crouch behind a stone
To hide them from the storm? Is there not one
Will see the outstretched hand of that frail maid,
To whom the baby brother clings, afraid?
Will no ear heed when hunger makes its moan?
No father’s arm about their forms is thrown
To shield them from distress, no mother’s love
Draws them within the shelter of her breast.
Those tender souls must front the world alone;
But, if Christ came not vainly from above,
Some noble heart will aid them, thus distressed.
ALADDIN’S LAMP.
Aladdin’s lamp of Eastern tale,
Which claimed my simple faith in youth,
Its loss no longer I bewail,
But hold it mine in very truth.