MEMORY has a sister fair, Blue-eyed, laughing, wild and glad, Oft she comes, with jocund air, When her twin-born would be sad; Hand-in-hand I love them best, And to neither traitor prove, Both can charm the aching breast, Scarce I know which most to love. Memory has a downcast face, Yet 'tis winning, sweet and mild, Then comes Hope, with cheerful grace, Like a bright enchanting child. Now, I kiss this rosy cheek, And the dimpling beam appears, Then, her pensive sister seek, She too smiles, through pleasant tears. Thus the heart a joy may take, Else it were but hard to win, And a quiet household make, Where no jealousies come in. If thy spirit be but true, Love like this is sure to last,— Happy he, who weds the two, Hopeful Future,—lovely Past. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...IN A LECTURE-ROOM by ARTHUR HUGH CLOUGH FOUND WANTING by EMILY DICKINSON TORTOISE SHELL by DAVID HERBERT LAWRENCE AN HORATIAN ODE UPON CROMWELL'S RETURN FROM IRELAND by ANDREW MARVELL ON THOSE THAT HATED 'THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD' by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS TIME'S REVENGE by AGATHIAS SCHOLASTICUS |