Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, HOW HAVE I THOUGHT OF THEE?, by EMMA CATHERINE (MANLY) EMBURY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HOW HAVE I THOUGHT OF THEE?, by                    
First Line: How have I thought of thee? As flies
Last Line: My soul's own radiant deity.
Alternate Author Name(s): Ianthe


How have I thought of thee? as flies
The dove to seek her mate,
Trembling lest some rude hand has made
Her sweet home desolate;
Thus timidly I seek in thine,
The only heart that throbs with mine.

How have I thought of thee? as turns
The flower to meet the sun,
E'en though, when clouds and storms arise,
It be not shone upon:
Thus, dear one, in thine eye I see
The only light that beams for me.

How have I thought of thee? as dreams
The mariner of home,
When doomed o'er many a weary waste
Of waters yet to roam;
Thus doth my spirit turn to thee,
My guiding star o'er life's wild sea.

How have I thought of thee? as kneels
The Persian at the shrine
Of his resplendent god, to watch
His earliest glories shine;
Thus doth my spirit bow to thee,
My soul's own radiant deity.





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