For the Southern Literary Messenger.
PARTING.
| Farewell!—my hand is trembling yet, With the last pressure of thine own; Oh! could my troubled heart forget The sadness, 'round that parting thrown,— Could memory lose the imaged smile, Bright sparkling through thy gushing tears, Which played upon thy cheek, the while Hope struggled with her prophet fears, That love and bliss no more would throw Their beams around us, as of erst, Or happiness, with seraph glow, Upon our rapturous meetings burst,— I then might lose a sorrowing thought, But one, with deep affection fraught! Yet go!—I would not keep thee here, When "it is best to be away,"— Go, seek thy distant home, and ne'er Let memory 'round these visions stray, When happiness, and love and joy, Unto our mingling hearts were given;— Oh! go, and ne'er may pain annoy, Or sorrow dim thine eye's blue heaven, But peace and pure affection hold Their vigils 'round thine angel way, And blessedness thy form enfold, And keep thee, 'til "the perfect day," When heaven shall join the hearts of those, Who here have loved, through countless woes! Go!—and I will not ask, or give A sigh,—a tear,—a single token, To prove our cherished love will live, Forever true, in faith unbroken;— Though wayward fate has severed far Our fortunes, by a cruel lot, Yet love will live, with being's star, And never,—never be forgot;— God's blessings on thee!—if the smile Of heaven e'er lights a seraph's path,— Protecting it from blight the while It wanders here, 'mid sin and wrath,— Its smiles upon thy path shall beam, And light it, like an Eden dream! |
A. B. M.
Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
For the Southern Literary Messenger.