Classic Poem

At first I did attention give
Observance—deep esteem
His frown I failed not to forgive
His smile—a boon to deem

Attention rose to interest soon
Respect to homage changed
The smile became a returned boon
The frown like grief estranged

The interest ceased not with his voice
The homage tracked him near
Obedience was my heart's free choice
Whatere his word severe

His praise unfrequent—favour rare
grew
And too much power—a haunting fear
Around his anger threw—

His coming was my hope each day
His parting was my pain!
The chance that did his steps delay
Was ice in every vein

I gave entire affection now
I gave devotion sure
And strong took root and fast did grow
One mighty feeling more

The truest love that ever heart
Felt at its kindled core
Through my veins with quickened start
A tide of life did pour

[A] halo played about the brows
Of life as seen by me
bliss within me rose
And anxious ecstacy

I dreamed it would be nameless bliss
As I loved—loved to be
And to this object did I press
As blind as eagerly

But wide as pathless was the space
That lay our lives between
And dangerous as the foamy race
Of ocean's surges green

And haunted as a robber path
Through wilderness or wood
For might & right woe & wrath
Between our spirits stood

I dangers dared—I hindrance scorned
I omens did defy
Whatever menaced—harassed warned
I passed impetuous by

On sped my rainbow fast as light
I flew as in a dream
For glorious rose upon my sight
That child of shower & gleam

And bright on clouds of suffering dim
Shone that soft-solemn joy
I care not then how dense & grim
Disaster's gather nigh

I care not in this moment sweet
Though all I have rushed o'er
Should come on pinions strong and fleet
Proclaiming vengeance sore

Hate struck me in his presence down
Love barred approach to me
My rival's joy with jealous frown
Declared hostility

Wrath leagued with calumny transfused
Strong poison in his veins
And I stood at his feet accused
Of false stains

Cold as a statue's grew his eye
Hard as a rock his brow
Cold—hard to me but tenderly
He kissed my rival now

She seemed my rainbow to have seized
Around her form it closed
splendour blazed
Where love & she reposed