Dreams And Gibes

at they saw. And her thin and bony frame And the narrow chest so flat? But her eyes, her eyes, 'twas that That I cannot forget. 0 Lord, her eyes have bored Themselves into my soul, The've bored themselves a hole Into my aching heart. 1 have not seen her since, I do not know her tale, But this I know without fail, Her life is misery. TO A MAIDEN SWEET AND PURE Yes, you are sweet and pure ; Your eyes are calm and open, Looking straight at me without a blink. Your hair is neatly parted, Neatly braided and beribboned. Your lips are parted daintily, Your teeth?I'd call them pearls, Were not the praise so hackneyed. And your smile is very pleasant to behold, Bright and sunny. And all about you floats an air of purity So fresh, it were most base to blow the wind of passion. Ah me, you're charming, girl, and very sweet, And yet there's want in you of still more charm. And shall I tell you why? But then you must not look at me so open-eyed, So straight at me without a blink. I would your eyes were stormier, I would they gave a hint of ruffled waters underneath ; I would about your head there rayed A silky aureole of saucy straying hair, Not quite so neatly prisoned; I would your pearly teeth were strung Not quite so motionless between your daintily parted lips; And most of all I would your smile Were sunny warmth instead of sunny light alone. I would not have your purity less fresh and pure, I wou...