Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-08-04
n + K NJ s.:
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE
a (,en.lewoman Of the Old School.

(sentleWOman OF The OlO ScAOoi'
She dwelt, know not where. nor read
If Law her limbs on downy bed,
Nor if on daintieS rare she ted,
Or frugal diet
TO but few her worth was known;
She ever lived among her own
And dreaded not to be alone;
Her name was ''Quiet.
Poets her praise have sung-a face
"Simpatica, where never trace
OF Cvnic art could find place,
But love lay beaming;
l'pon her lips, and in her eyes,
4 thousand kindly sympathles
Told with what measureless supple,
Her heart was teemlng.
Her dress YOU would not care to see;
Nor nun or courtly dame was She
She shrank from singularlty;
Yet flowers vernal
Less Iaintily their hucs combincd.
Her dress but imaged forth her mind -
Such order rcigned, such taste refined,
And grace supernal.
Her talk now sober was, now gay,
But little did she find to say
IIvou her neighbor's faults. The way
10 life Immortal,
She oft Slrmised was rough to all;
And some must slip, and some would 1all
More cause for mercy OFT to Call
At Heavens high portal
Her manners | could scarce define:
No studied grace had she; to shine
Among her peers was ne CIR her line,
On pure thoughts feeding;
And vet subtle pOwcr had she,
Which few could e er withstand-thc free,
Strong bond of Christian courtesy,
Aud highest breeding.
To her all living things were dear
The levcret at her call drew near;
The squirrel half forgot its fear,
Meath her carcssing;
And sweet birds carolled out their lay:
And lambkins round her feet would play,
Submissive to her gentle sway,
And timely blessing.
She read and thought--and yet no rage
Had she for controversial page;
The hollow Glamour Of the age
She joined not in it.
Some scorned-and size would pity these;
Some doubted with defiant case;
She sought the truth upon her knees,
Nor failed to win it!
And think not that she failed to find
Some pastimcs suited to her mind:
Well could she mingle with her kind
For genial pleasure;
Her voice rose clear in round or glee;
In dance the sprightcst aye was she;
With courscr fleet, o cr moorland free
She roamed at leisure.
She had her love tale, it was said;
But her calm reticence forbade
To probe her woman's heart, and staid
Rude eyes from prying.
All wifely instincts she might own,
Though Love were tettered on Its throne,
And Honour ceased, when Worth had flown,
And Faith lay dying.
a true, yet artless woman she;
Her mirth nc or sank to evity-
Hers was the grace which chivalry
Could feel and honour.
Her eye sought not the tale otshame;
Her girlhO0d' blush unbidden came,
Should Aippant tongues their light jests frame
And thrust upon her.
In those old days, Ewes daughters fair
Moved with calm uurufled air;
They met old age without despair,
Or touch of rancour
IT'S said wider sphere they need
TO day-and toll for other need
Than love, nor care to Slacken speed
Ere casting anchor!
If this be so, then, us is meet,
We sip the bitter with the sweet;
The face of Change we bow to greet,
AS Wisdom's fiat
Yet tender thoughts of thee we have,
And humbly here permission crave
To lay 4 wreath upon thy grave.
Dear Lady Quiet
--CHuDlbrrS' .JUurnal