The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1882-08-06
THE BROKEN TESSERA.


There were two one was young, aud grave and fair.
Her brow, whittier than snow, was lifted up
with wealth OF brain, while her glossy hair
waved round Its polished furfacc, and the cup
Of her beauty seemed full In Its deep black.
Each wave Of the jctty brads, which he loved
with all the ardor Of u qucnchlcss joy,
Filled his soul with new longlngs, giving him back
with tumultuous bounds-no trillng toy
A swcctcr hope than ever earth had proved.
Her red lips, like ripe fruit on the bough,
Closed gently o'er tho shining ivory
Seeming to say to the rapt ga2cr come now
And touch, and taste, and drink to ecstasy.
Her formal, that was qnccnly to the eye
or the othcr-tall, graceful, little, erect
Fashioned with an art so grand and so high
That only one-hcaven's great architect
Did mould 1t In Its likeness to the sky.
Her mind was clear, strong, and truly gentle.
Catching at once the bcautifnlan and true
which glow In the physical and mental,
Whether on carh or sea, or heavens deep blue.
Her kind heart was brlmmcd with gentlcst mercy
Such as angels feel while they are keeping
watch o'er suffering, not indeed the he,rsay
Mercy of books, but such as ne 'cr sleeping
Lives In deels--tho golden harvest reapng.
The other was mother young nor fair,
Nor fame, nor wealth. nor pride, nor grandeur his,
For time had silvcred n'er his own dark hair
Aud left him, in Its hight, just simply this;
| A man whose soul was warm with love and hope;
Whose eye was glad TO see fair natures dress;
Whose heart took In the beatifc scope.
OF things that, In their holy work, would bless;
Whose heart was ever In his open hand
Nor child, nor maid, nor need shnn with fen
| His steps. for all from him within his land
| Met thls-in joy, u smile, in gref,a tear
| Aud thus they met. Upon her blaneless life
| Aud maiden hope, and dream Of purest bliss
Had fallen disappoIntment's blight. The keen kniI
| of lesnlir cut the rUoteiS of her soul.
| Aud she hungerel for n fond one 5 true kiss.
Deeming true love on earth her long sought goal
| In agony she cried to him for love,
| This one so framed for love, to her denied,
| Aud nesting to him, like n wounded dove,
She sought his hcart-hcre resting by his side.
lie gave her love; from his own being
lie drew deep and ever blissfu tide,
| Which caused his full breast to dream of seeing
JOY In this world, with hope FOR his fair bride.
Then, in that glad hour, when their souls We're knit
Into one Joyous seam ot love- they drank
The cup of rapture, and oft did they sit
silent, happy, deemng earth was not blank.
Then round her swan-ko throat. her snowy neck,
IIe linked y chain of gold, n tiny chain
With token, the face of which no speck
| OF s9 might stain, nor aught that bringcth pain,
In the bright circle single word was witt
| LEAD ms not into temptation - under it,
Thus they parted. :.
} When again they met All joy was gone,
| An hope was dead One-a blessed hope
That AS the years passing, passing on,
, They both might see the sacred city's slope;
3 They both might catch the flr-Oif angel song,
| And lift their eyes to that eternal rest
0 Where Jesus keeps His holy, happy lbrong,
e Aud in his bosom they ever blessed.
With streaming eyes she laid the dead token
| At his feet-poor Magdalene-said. 80 forgive, -
Aud watched him as with his heart all brokcn
lie sadly kissed it, forgayc, and bid her live