With graceful seat and skilful hand,
Upon the fiery steed,
Prompt at a moment to command,
As fittest, or concede,
Lady! happy he whose will
Shall manliest homage pay
To that which yielding ever, still
Shall in its yielding sway:
Yea, happy he, whose willing soul
In perfect love combined
With thine shall form one perfect whole,
One happy heart and mind!
Fair, fair on fleeting steed to see,
Boon Nature's child, nor less,
In gorgeous rooms, serene and free,
'Midst etiquette and dress!
Thrice happy who, amidst the form
And folly that must be,
Existence fresh, and true, and warm,
Shall, Lady, own in thee!
Such dreams, in gay saloon, of days
That shall be, 'midst the dance
And music, while I hear and gaze,
My silent soul entrance.
As here the harp thy fingers wake
To sounds melodious, he
To thy soul's touch shall music make,
And his enstrengthen thee.
The notes, diverse in time and tone,
The hearts shall image true,
That still, in some sweet ways unknown,
Their harmonies renew.
The mazy dance, an emblem meet,
Shall changeful life pourtray,
Whose changes all love's music sweet
Expressively obey.
Then shall to waltz, though unexiled,
And polka sometimes heard,
To songs capricious, wayward, wild,
Be other strains preferred.
The heart that 'midst the petty strife,
Whose ferment, day by day,
To strange realities of life
Converts its trifling play,—
The heart, that here pursued the right,
Shall then, in freer air,
Expand its wings, and drink the light
Of life and reason there:
And quickening truth and living law,
And large affections clear
Shall it to heights on heights updraw,
To holiest hope and fear.
—Ah, moralizing premature!
And yet words half-supprest
May find some secret thoughts ensure
Acceptance half-confest.
Full oft concealed high meanings work;
And, scorning observation,
In gay unthinking guise will lurk
A saintly aspiration;
No sickly thing to sit and sun
Its puny worth, to pause
And list, ere half the deed be done,
Its echo—self-applause:
No idler, who its kindly cares
To every gossip mentions,
And at its breast a posy wears
Of laudable intentions.
As of itself, of others so
Unrecognised to seek
Its aim content, and in the flow
Of life and spirits meek.