The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-09-25

TIrE Two DArEs.
~ s,llrz .po4sroo5.

She sat within a small, bright room,
4 ire dying At her feet.
Yet casting mp a warming glow,
Into her eyes. ali grave and sweet.
a sunbeam lay along the floor.
a slender beam in shadow laced.
And glanced upon an open page
Whereof a simple date was traced.
A date upon fIy-leaf white
A spfing-fimc datc-and that was al,
That fixed her eyes; nor did she bear
The low winds lonely Autumn call.
The ieavcs fcIi slowly. one BY one,
Upon the hill side. brown and dead:
And 20 the shore the waters splashcd
With dan. cold echoes frorn lie bed.
It was modest picture, true,
This quiet GIRL with Bistful eyes.
a dreaming o'cr q penciled date
That had been traced meath April skies.
She wore plain and sombre robe,
Aud closely eoiled was her hair,
Without a single waving trees
TO tell Of beauties clustered there.
Bat Ia her mini picture glowed
All glorious In its sunlight rare,
Where white sprlHg-blossoms clothed the tree,
And scented al the dazzling air;
Where yonng leaves danced ia very eiee.
And busted gold upon the ground;
Whllshigh within the warm. blnc sky,
Delicious brown bees wheeled around
Bat what enchanted her memory.
Were two Ftili dgnres standing meath
A hawthorn tree, whose branches droo5ed
Around them IN a snowy wreath;
The man fas 81 The stately cast
Al eagle glance and pFinccly mlen;
Pie eifi. nll trusting love and hope
Thought ne was very bright, ] ween.
That dsy, heT dress was virgin white,
And flowers her sweeping tresses bound
Rack from. her smiling. happy eyes
a treasure where. he said. he found.
Az foundl and claimed her wealth Of love,
And held her bluahing 10 his breast,
While vowing on his manly faith
NoAtot4sr asfs siotil1 ssr 5s prsR
Then she. ~ eirlish happiness,
Marked In q book the glowing day,
That stamped i;scif m heart and mind.
And lighted all her earthly way.
That qniet girl, with wistfnl eyes.
Long fingered DER her memory fair.
And heard low whisperings OF sweet VOWS
From lips that seemed 20 touch her hair
AZ leasth ale started nom her trance
And closed The book with dreary smile:
sl'm thinking Ger his promise yeti
L burthened him but little whilcm
She said this calmly. looking out
Upon the river meath The hlll.
And on the leaves. that heard his vows,
NOW lying withcrcd dead and still
. Poor ieavcsF she murmured tonderiy.
= Poor fallen leaves! how near you seem
Unt0 the love yon padded with
To thus he faded with my dream
She opened once again the book,
Then wrote beneath that April date
Another date, with Autumn name,
and wondered IDLY Of It's fate:
{ All, who can looisup0n these two,
And understand their meaning deep
They'll seem but common words writ down
Sons careless oie IN mind to keep.
yen, even hs solfieilme may come
Nay look on each poor, lonely word
Could oas but cry Of broken faith
Would ~ sharp plant BY him be heard.
And II his bride should with him be,
Ciose-nostlsng 10 his perjaFod heart
OH from her fairy ioveliness
Would then his conscience mako him startg
fsc1geo Gan blame him for the gift
lletook FROM me, her to adoru;
For haze meier been valued much,
whilo she, loye's dearest child was born
Then mon do love their opposiies;
And he 4 strong In manly pride.
While she, with grace and weakness soft,
Plays Ike a zephyr at his side.
but am colder and less fair
Am grave and quiet at the host
What matters if..to any one,
A burning heart Is IN my brcastf
what matters iii thatfrom my youth.
afy set, sweet youth, so fuli Of dreams.
The blossoms slio.lld fall one by one,
To drift away on Idle strsamss
What matters 1t that from my soul
An anguished cry once rent my llfeg
Il cl0fed again, and my calm face
Gives not one token OF the strife.
an, am strong thank Thee. God,
Tor this right glorious gift Of ,ciR,
That makes me bear death-cold love
With smiles. that can be cheerful stiil
thank Thee that yet can look
unainching DER life's dreaFy waste;
Aud do NOS long Tor stately Death
aIy bridegroom. with Uuseemly haste.
Yet Etlli, sometimes, cannot help
From thinking Of my marriage day,
When, clasping me In his cold arms.
nia kiss shall draw my soul away.
Butnow farewell sad pcnoillines,
lou mast not iingcr he might seo
You written here; aud there migAi rise
A faint Accusing Thought Of me.
uoald not that single breath
or pain should cross his lofty mind
Bntiog hls brow lies roses sweet,
Without one piercing thorn be twinea.