Classic Poem

TO CHARLOTTE M — — .

Thou art but in life's morning, and as yet
The world looks witchingly; its fruits and flowers
Are fair and fragrant, and its beauteous bowers
Seem haunts of happiness before thee set,
All lovely, as a landscape freshly wet
With dew, or bright with sunshine after showers,
Where pleasure dwells, and Flora's magic powers
Woo thee to pluck a peerless coronet.
Thus be it ever: would'st thou have it so,
Preserve thy present openness of heart;
Cherish the generous feelings that now start
At base dissimulation, and that glow
Of native love for ties which home endears;
And thou wilt find the world no vale of tears.