The maiden’s blush,
Sweet blackberry blossom, thou
Wearest, in prickly leaves that rove
O’er friendlike turning bough.
Companionship
Thine attributes, thou givest
Likeness of virtue shielded safe
From lives with whom thou livest.
What is mankind?
But like thy wand’ring?—Time
Leads mortals through the maze of life,
And thousands hopewards climb.
A sudden blast—
Then what of hope remains?
Beauty full soon by sickness falls,
And pleasures die in pains.
But fruit succeeds—
Thou ripenest by the sky:
May human hearts bear fruits of peace
Before in earth they lie!
August 19, 1827. ——
Burnsal Lich-Gate.