A crash of boughs! - one through them breaking! Mercy is startled, and fain would fly, But e'en as she turns, her steps o'ertaking, He pleads with her - "Mercy, it is but I!" Mercy! he touches her hand unbidden - The air is balmy, I pray you stay - Mercy?" Her downcast eyes are hidden, And never a word she has to say. Till closer drawn, her prison'd fingers He takes to his lips with a yearning strong; And she murmurs low, that late she lingers, Her mother will want her, and think her long. Good mother is she, then honor duly The lightest wish in her heart that stirs; But there is a bond yet dearer truly, And there is a love that passeth hers. Mercy, Mercy! Her heart attendeth - Love's birthday blush on her brow lies sweet; She turns her face when his own he bendeth, And the lips of the youth and the maiden meet. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE KISS by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR SONNET: 22. TO THE SAME [CYRIACK SKINNER] by JOHN MILTON AFTER THE NIGHT by NOUREDDIN ADDIS THE SPROUTING BOARD by AL-ISRA'ILI THE ARGONAUTS (ARGONATUICA): MEDEA'S DREAM by APOLLONIUS RHODIUS IF ONLY THOU ART TRUE by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) |