Short Poems

Sudds Launders Bands in pisse; and starches them
Both with her Husband's, and her own tough fleame.

Some ask'd me where the Rubies grew?
And nothing I did say:
But with my finger pointed to
The lips of Julia.
Some ask'd how Pearls did grow, and where?
Then spoke I to my Girle,
To part her lips, and shew'd them there
The Quarelets of Pearl.

As it's give' me to perceive,
I most cert'in'y believe
When a man's jest glad plum through,
God's pleased with him, same as you.

Behold, one faith endureth still —
Let factions rail and creeds contend —
God's mercy was , and is , and will
Be with us, foe and friend.

As a rosebud might, in dreams,
'Mid some lilies lie, meseems
Thou, pink youngling, on the breast
Of thy mother slumberest.

The hour before the dawn!
O ye who grope therein, with fear and dread
And agony of soul, be comforted,
Knowing, ere long, the darkness will be gone,
And down its dusky aisles the light be shed;
Therefore, in utter trust, fare on — fare on,
This hour before the dawn!

I PRAY you, do not use this thing
For vengeance; but if questioning
What wound, when dealt your humankind,
Goes deepest, — surely he will find
Who wrongs you , loving him no less —
There's nothing hurts like tenderness.

Tell all the Truth but tell it slant —
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth's superb surprise
As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind —

To no one Muse does she her glance confine,
But has an eye, at once, to all the Nine!

They give to beauty here —
The same as everywhere —
Adulation, but no care.