The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-04-21

4 SPRING IDYL OF THE PINE
HILLS OF R4PIDES.
. BY MRS. NJ. b. WILLIAMS.

BY MRS. NJ b. WILLIAMS.
Let there be Light" As OIL that first
great morn
Flame arrows darting up the Eastern
sky,
Cleavc through the sullen mists whose
tears forlorn,
Mix with nights parting sigh.
Light Light The gray clouds launch
their snowy barks
Which float bright argoses of rosy
And upward speeds the arrowy glancing
To deep blue fields of peace.
Still brighter, gold tipped needles of the
Pines,
Crown the old trees with FURNISHED dia-
dems,
Whilst at their feet, the dun, dead herb
age shines,
A mantle wrought in gems
The quick-eyed squirrel quits his winter
nest
The glad long leaps, and couched on
grassy slopes,
Eyes cunningly the Beech whose tender
Gamers his Autumn hopes
From out it's covert flows the sedgy brook,
Still dim with shadows, whilst the cattle
stand
Upon the brink, and gaze with sleepy eyes
Der the transfigured land.
From low-cayed cottages, each little world
dc htrr,, 1ct,,. III,
float,
And through dim wreaths of rising smoke
up-curled
The royal sunrise smote.
And Elsie standing Oh a Pine-clatl hill,
Turned eastward happy eyes which
seemed to hold
A radiance brighter than that tabled rill,
Lapsing DER sands of gold
Long, long, she looked, quick smiles and
bushes sped,
She softly Happy fares the
bride
On whom the good sun shines :" Then bent
her head
The rising blush to hide.
The silent smile grew fainter, vague regrets
Dimmed the sweet eyes, which from the
sunrise turns
To note pale daisies, and wan violets
Nights tears within their urns
Here ran the pebbled brook by which she
played,
Beneath yon tall and silver leafed bav.
She dreamed that maiden dream, which |
did not fade
On this her wedding day.
And the Pines rustic seemed to whisper
stay,
o, fairest child why leave this sheltered
nest
For uutried skies? Also loves right of
way
by sorrows steps are prest."
The crimson of the sunrise lent its glow
10 face aud bosom, whilst she cried,
But, yea
l loved him utterly-yea, though but woe
Besets the untried way.
Yet will tread it willingly, and hold,
For his dear sake, this home of blessed
rest,
But as the memory of some legend old,
Fold by passing guest.
Bat yet l fear, old Pines, thy voice will
sound
With an eternal murmnr in the soul,
ana dreams OF this old life the new will
bound,
When alien seasons roll.
Farewell, dear hills grow soft with coun-
less flow's;
Those April blooms may not stay to
see. .
Shine, happy say shine till these parting =
hours
From vain regrets be free"
She paused, and bending DER the green \
hills side,
White yiolets gathered, kissed them
through soft tears !,
" hich dried in swiftest smiles-an April .
tide,
OF hopes, that still were fears.
Still higher DER the Pines the sunlight
giows, s.
And Springs warm touch has conquered
Winters scOrn; 4
Trough Elsie's heart q bridal carol flows.
Glad as the Joyous morn
md though the trees still whisper-"stay,
child, stay.''
She could not hear them, for deeper n
voice, y
Which said-"o, Love on this. our we'd l.
ding day
All Nature cries rejoice!
he beautiful green earth, the sky, the -
flowers, sc
Took UP the 1efrain, and cried out-"Be- pr
hold I'll
low meath snow-mantled, and storm at
laden hours,
We held Springs faith of old p
We knew that Death was strong, but
stronger still 4
Loves quickening breath The hope she T.
babe us keep.
hough shrouded, blasted, beaten by all
i'll,
Springs glorious from it's s'eep;" ~ =
He CAME TOO LITE. :