Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-05-04
Poetry.
The Faithless One.

/ sB Is9sa5aa Ihe FalthlesS One. ar
Long years have passed since when
l l met that young and gentle maid;
Sad changes, too, have been since then
Her velvet hand in mine was laid
IN ohildhoods hour we played together.
koaming through the woodland and the lawn;
Caring naught for wind or weather $40
In the moonlight, at dawn.
loyed that maiden in my youth
And read her love in burning light
Her eyes met mine and spoke the truth
i Whene'er we met by day or night
| Twas thus that day S and years passed by
AS round the oalsithat lovely vine,
| When storms arose with which to vie,
Loves golden chain around our hearts did twine
Ever and anon | watched that tender heart
AS AS the mighty eagle eyes his prey; alt}.t
| When youthful cares would cause smart H
l hastened there to drive the pain away. f.s
She met me oft with open hand and heart
With words so sweet SO full of purest love-
/ Which oft have nerved the warrior band 5U
! When weary, worn, like N oahs dove. Ig
Iloved her 1nadly, strangely, fondly, too,
Long ere dared my thoughts express elIa
her image never yet escaped my view q. ss4
Feelings fingered which l could not suppress.
1 The hour at length a-rived-'twas night
This heart so long in prison Gagged, e Ha.
ana one which ne er had felt blight, -
Found rest from thoughts so long engaged
| asked her for that hand and heart as we'll
That hand which oft hsid casped my own
| That heart which e'er Ikea magic spell N
| Bound me to her when | was all alone
did not loye her for her wealth. 81
Though was poor in lands indeed, w
Honest, and naught was gained by stealth,
| Twas Tor er heart alone was in need.
| laid my earthly ali upon her shrine
| Earth held no other one so loved and dear;
/ Twas this alone for which my heart did pine
| And when from this it was so dark and drear
! She heard my story with that care,
/ Which caused perhaps the tear to fall /;
While she poured out her soul in prayer
| 10 Him whose eyes are ever o er ALL
| Calmly and thoughtfuly she pondered,
Ihe.path which may, perchance, prove rough
And in the midnight off she wandered.
TO find, if such there be, single bluff.
| The answer. came at. last-it was a s'yes'-
She vowed that she her heart had given
| To me to comfort. chser, and bless,
| 70 love me here and then in heaven.
Long did we this vow holy. sacred keep,
| Our hearts beat moro III unison each day,
| No sorrow here nor cause to weep,
| While flowers spread fraganee round our way
And thus we whiled many an hour away,
! When we so oft in JOY would meet,
! The little warbler with its sweetest law
Our meeting and our parting seemed too great.
| Twas thus through summer days as we'll
! As winter months; we loved so much to roam
| y er fields of future bliss in fancy's spell
| Away from angry waves and bilows' foam
| We knew no other JOY but that to bless
| Each other; through this changing life;
! For this we lived and loved that no distress
Should cross our path SO often crossed by strife
| Time passed on, and would not stay,
| And in its course IL mark was left;
| Which filled my soul with sad dismay
! To think that [ so soon would be bereft
Isit true? Yes and that too sadly true,
! That heart which once was mine,
! Did all my toll of years undo &
| In that [ bowed before a fickle shrine
She babe me go from her away
! With naught to prove the deed;
| did and from her still | stray
Rejoicing that to her wish took heed.
| And such is life, our dearest friend,
| Our brightest hopes, and sunniest days;
| All these, Times ruthless hand doth rend,
Unchecked by solemn vows and sweetest lays.
Forsaken though we be on life's tempestous sea
With no kind friend to comfort, bless and cheer
| We know there is place Of rest 0 God, in thee
| When earthly ties riyen, and all around il
drear. ECHO.