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the wife's appeal.
I warmed it in my inmost heart,
Closed from the world's chill air;—
O, 't was a rapture caught from heaven
To feel it nestling there!
Closed from the world's chill air;—
O, 't was a rapture caught from heaven
To feel it nestling there!
But ah! one morn, from visions blest,
I wakened with a moan;
There was a vulture at my breast,
And that young dove had flown!
I wakened with a moan;
There was a vulture at my breast,
And that young dove had flown!
Then Fame held forth her laurel crown,
From her proud height afar;
I longed for it, as does a child
At evening for a, star.
From her proud height afar;
I longed for it, as does a child
At evening for a, star.
I toiled, I suffered,—humble joys
I careless flung aside,
Saw peace take wing, and in the dust
Bow down my manly pride.
I careless flung aside,
Saw peace take wing, and in the dust
Bow down my manly pride.
At last, at last, it bound my brow,
That green immortal wreath!
Exulting, glorying, I stood,
Defying time and death!
That green immortal wreath!
Exulting, glorying, I stood,
Defying time and death!
