No mortal ever waged alone
A conflict so severe;
The high-souled, stainless champion
Finds heavenly succor near.
Legions of angels to his aid
His pure devotion brought;
Celestial strength his spirit swayed;
'Twas Life that in him fought.
The awful stillness of the night!
The long and bitter hours!—
It seemed that Time had stayed his flight
To watch the battling pow'rs.
And ere the ghastly night had fled
He conquered in the strife,
And gently took the slender thread,
And drew her back to life.
MY VALENTINE.
O Dorothy, sweet Dorothy,
You make my heart rejoice;
Your presence is like Arcady,
There's music in your voice;
Heaven's purity is on your brow,
Its light is in your eyne;
I love you, and I ask you now
To be my Valentine.
Your face is like the lily in
The morning's ruddy light;
Your dimpled cheeks and tiny chin
Are blessings to my sight;
Your lips are fairer than the rose
And redder far than wine;
Your teeth are whiter than the snows:
You'll be my Valentine!
You are not quite so old as I,
You've seen but summers three;
And that's no doubt the reason why
You are not coy with me.
I'll come to you to-morrow,
And on chocolates we'll dine;
And you'll have no thought of sorrow
When you are my Valentine.