The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-05-29
FOR TIE INDEPENDENT PRESS.
Pleasures Of Memory.


Content to dwell with memory.
Avaunt ye hopes, ye all delude-
Ye shine to lead poor man astray;
Away nor now Oh me intrude,
Ill be no slave to your false sway
My sports in childhood now are seen
In thy true g!nss-Oh! memory dear;
My rambles through the woodland green,
And bubbling brooks-so pure, so clear.
hy home, my happy childhood's homo
Is looming up to me os bright
AS furry tale in magic tome;
Oh ! tell me. is not this delight
Spirits Of memory, ye are now
communing kindly with my soul;
Ye stand to battle an aching brow;
ie come, away my cares to roll;
Ye espeak 80 glad of old oak trees
Whose quiet shades did shelter give;
Yespeak of springs mild evening breeze,
When my young heurt did joyous live.
Dear memory hail thy. muse WOO
Unto my breast-wilt thou remain
One wish to grant my theme Undue
With colors such, rs none disdan.
Blest memory, linger bout my heart
In all thy hints Of rainbow light;
oh hnger, nor from ME yet part
Till portray thy diamonds bright.
My friends were precious gems to ME
That made my life glide smooth along;
They knew naught of Inconsistency,
Buttfuth and trust made glad their song.
Their minds were early taught to love
The truth, with all her sisters mild
They knew that God in Heaven above
Had never looked on sin and smiled.
These friends were to their friends all true
And if from me, they secret heard
You might as soon expect to view
Mount Etua's depths, as learn one word.
No blighting healtl, my cheek did blow
No Judas-kisses touched my lip;
My hand was never clasped by Joe
No Poison'd cup had to sip.
No freezing look of cold disdain
They never gave the slightest pain
In these sweet dnys-uo none at all.
Oh Mary, my own cousin friend,
Thy spirit young did take its fight
While guarded angels did attend
Thy passage up to Heavenly light
Thy sweet dear face. my long tried friend.
nc'er on earth shall see again;
Thy life below has had its end.
For uought could here thy soul dctain.
Thy bright career on earth is DER.
Which wrung my heart with sad regret
And shall clasp thy form no more;
= Bnt can ever thee forgeti
Forget thee no. while feelings last
And may yet be bowed with years;
Thy image will 4. still hold fast
Mid wealthy case. or toilsome cares.
Time ehas,ens grief, and Ger us throws
A spell 80 softened. sweet and mild,
That We can calmly think on woes,
Which once have heave with anguish wild.
Stern Death. full often has embraced
The friends most cherished of my soul;
But times or scenes havo never chased d,
Their image from my minds control.
But years have sped since 1have felt
The pangs which rend tortured breast
Still, times there were, when have knelt
And prayed to die an d be at rest
Yet, to my theme. still am true,
Still to the heart my memory brings
A picture pleasing to my view
Herglass shows none--but sweeten'd stings
Indulgent past to me SO kind :
While in thy lights Fses some shade;
'Tis cheering, grateful to the mindSks
To think on friends who've mover strayed
The charm dissolvess 'tis fit that
Should from thy mirror turn me round;
I've turn.d. but yet twas with sigh,
For Oh! the past is hallowel ground.
LEILA.
Woodland May 10. 1857.