WHEN Emma, in my humble cot,
Her smiles bestow’d on me;
Ah! then I thought, a happier lot
Than mine could never be.
The gentle maid was fair as morn,
And blithe as opening flowers;
Such sweetness did her breath adorn,
As roses after showers.
In wavy rings her auburn hair
Did o’er her shoulders spread;
No goddess had a breast more fair,
Or cheeks a softer red.
With temper like the mildest dove,
And silver warbling voice;
Would melt the sternest soul to love–
The coldest heart rejoice.
When sorrow told its tale of woe
To her attentive ear;
How would her heart with pity glow
So tender, so sincere.
With all these charms ’twas me she lov’d,
On me kind glances threw;
I little thought she e’er had prov’d,
More beautiful than true.
But, ah! a wealthier swain than me,
Came from some foreign part;
He saw my Emma with my eyes,
But not with my fond heart.
He ask’d, he gain’d, the lovely fair,
With all her beauteous charms;
He heeded not my sad despair,
But tore her from my arms.
Her parents urg’d the harsh decree,
Subdued by conquering gold;
For that, my love was forc’d from me,
For that, their child was sold.
But, dearest Emma, how could you
Forsake this peaceful plain?
How leave a heart which lov’d so true,
To sorrow, grief, and pain?
But soon cold death shall close my eyes;
That slow but surest friend:
For you shall waft my latest sighs,
When all my sorrows end.
(Caroline Maxwell)
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Based on Topics: Love Poems, Mind Poems, Sadness Poems, Death & Dying Poems, Fairness Poems, Friendship Poems, Flowers Poems, Thought & Thinking Poems, Pain Poems, Gold Poems, Grief PoemsBased on Keywords: wealthier, emma, mildest, sternest