Classic and Contemporary Poetry
INSCRIPTION, FR. THE SINLESS CHILD, by ELIZABETH OAKES PRINCE SMITH Poet's Biography First Line: Sweet eva! Shall I send thee forth Last Line: To love, and peace, and youth. Alternate Author Name(s): Smith, Seba (e. Oakes), Mrs.; Oakes-smith, Elizabeth Subject(s): Children; Love; Peace; Youth; Childhood | ||||||||
Sweet Eva! shall I send thee forth, To other hearts to speak? With all thy timidness and love, Companionship to seek? Send thee with all thy abstract ways, Thy more than earthly tone -- An exile, dearest, send thee forth, Thou, who art all mine own! Thou art my spirit's cherished dream, Its pure ideal birth; And thou hast nestled in my heart, With love that's not of earth. Alas! for I have failed, methinks, Thy mystic life to trace; Thy holiness of thought and soul, Thy wild enchanting grace. With thee I've wandered, cherished one, At twilight's dreamy hour To learn the language of the bird, The mystery of the flower; And gloomy must that sorrow be, Which then could'st not dispel, As thoughtfully we loitered on By stream or sheltered dell. Thou fond Ideal! vital made, The trusting, earnest, true; Who fostered, sacred, undefiled My hearts pure, youthful dew; Thou woman -- soul, all tender, meek, Thou wilt not leave me now To bear alone the weary thoughts That stamp an aching brow! Yet go! I may not say farewell, For thou wilt not forsake, Thou'lt linger, Eva, wilt thou not, All hallowed thoughts to wake? Then go; and speak to kindred hearts In purity and truth; And win the spirit back again, To Love, and Peace, and Youth. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE THREE CHILDREN by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN CHILDREN SELECTING BOOKS IN A LIBRARY by RANDALL JARRELL COME TO THE STONE ... by RANDALL JARRELL THE LOST WORLD by RANDALL JARRELL A SICK CHILD by RANDALL JARRELL CONTINENT'S END by ROBINSON JEFFERS ON THE DEATH OF FRIENDS IN CHILDHOOD by DONALD JUSTICE THE POET AT SEVEN by DONALD JUSTICE AN INCIDENT by ELIZABETH OAKES PRINCE SMITH |
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