Classic Poem

I.

Rejecting dimple sleek, and smile,
Thee, beauteous gem, I sing the while;
to me more dear
Art thou, sweet herald of the mind
That's tender, glowing, feeling, kind,
soul-speaking tear!

II.

When pity's claims the soul absorb,
I see thee gathering in the orb,
of visual ray;
Then thou to me art sweeter far,
Than dew-drop of the evening-star,
or opening day!

III.

Or when thou steal'st down pallid cheek,
Of poor affliction, sad and meek,
heart-easing tear:
Then like the glowing shower, mild,
That oft succeeds the storm wild,
thou dost appear!

IV.

Or in the eye of blooming youth;
For fancied woes, or mournful truth,
I see thee tremble;
The covenant which God displays,
Beaming with Heaven's orient rays,
dost thou resemble.

V.

Or stealing from the eye-lash shade,
Down faded cheek of love-sick maid,
who weeps her woes;
Like nature's soft refreshing tears,
Which the pale, wither'd bosom wears,
of drooping rose!

VI.

Nor as I ween, art thou expressive
Alone of griefs, or woes oppressive,
but glitt'reth often
In the arch, sparkling eye of pleasure,
Adopting thee, thou pearly treasure,
its joys to soften!

VII.

In the belov'd parental eye,
With smiles of love I've seen thee vie,
vsweet contradiction;
Press'd to his heart for whom I live,
With thee the father oft would give
his benediction!

VIII.

Dear trembling, wat'ry, speaking thing,
Thou drop from sympathy's pure spring,
thou precious gem!
Ah witless they who think them wise,
The softer feelings to despise,
and thee condemn!

IX.

— He who the world with awe impress'd,
Receiv'd the soft, intrusive guest,
of friend bereft;
But still more glorious hast thou prov'd,
When for the friend he lost, yet lov'd,
e'en J ESUS wept!

X.

Nor can the Coromandel coast,
A jewel half so costly boast,
so priz'd by me:
Nor can Potosi's mines unfold,
Tho' rich in bliss bestowing gold,
a gem like thee!