Democratic messenger., 1894-02-17
ST. VALENTINE.

Hail to thy natal morn returned,
old Bishop Valentine
Archfiamen OF the gods art thou.
Immortal and divine;
Invoked anl blest with iiymens name.
And worshipped at his shrine
a Thousand little Loves attend
Where ecr thy footsteps stray.
Aud there, with breath and song, rervad
The atmosphere aud day.
And with transporting grace ami charm
Their freaks and sambols play.
Blithe CupidS all thy choiristcrS
Aud thy precentors are.
And arrow armed thou movest out
To wage unequal war.
For not heart doth feel thy lat,
But doth to thee unbar.
Sweet messages of love expressed
In glowing words. ycleped
As valentines, cross and rccrnSs.
Cupid is busy kept;
And many hearts ARE glad to-day,
Many for joy have wept.
Thou doth decree from mystic vuwS.
Thus reads the rubrics sign.
''On whom the maiden first doth .akc,
This day ot love divine.
Him shall her heart give pufcrruce.
Him call her Valentine.
And So the laddie climbs the elm,
That droops upon the caves
Meath which his unsuspectins love
Some fairy fancy weaves.
And rs she opcs the window wide
His raptur"us glance receives.
And now upon the village green
The comclv lass doth WOO.
He breathcd his love in burning words
She vows It's strange. lis men,
But sweet withal. and il II taste
Bring such delights To view.
Robin. my lad. I'll deeper drink.
And love little too.
a rose she wore. hv it he sw"rc
To love her rvcrmore.
And promised she I" faithful hc.
Him ever tn adore:
"And as the rose the secret knows.
Said he, its faith do we implorc."
What matter il he played ut love
And soon forgot the vow:
What matter if his lips hare prcst
Another maiden's brow:
And what il one heart should lie CAV. -
And one tc hreakin. now:
The lovely rose hy which they sw"re
Hath fallen To- decay;
Are Loves and Friendships like the roses
And lasting hut Il dav?
And must We love aud hc beloved.
Then turned. alas. away:
Some hearts there hc that burn nut love
Their youth has had its dream.
Perhaps awukc II few love chords,
Invoked some tender theme.
But M divine emotion thrilled,
Or ever ruled therein supreme.
The courtly knight doth walk beside
His Lady all alone.
She hath not spoken any word.
Bnt much of feeling shown;
And love hath myriad signs whereby
Ills presence To make known.
Thus spake the Knight LOVELY and bri.I
are Heavens stars above,
But brighter far than moon or star
Art thou to me, INV love,
List To- INV plea and wed with me.
When next shall mate the dove.
The Lady spakc Fear To- take
Such holy vows with thee.
Since thou dost raise thy voice in prais
OF beauty not of me-
True worth unknown. with beauty flown
Man constant will not lie.
Answered the Knight: "lloly and brigh
Is Heavens galaxy;
Behold. last night hen from its heigl
Down dropped star DER me,
II brought To me this thought of thee,
7oo p"re IF earth 10 b.
The Lady said; with thee I'll we'd
Aud I've thy Valentine;
As round the pine the vine doth twine
~ to thee incline;
One heart divine. for thou art mine.
rs ha,c Ion: been thine.
Thus was Loves language softly spoken
And thus the intercourse
OF souls coniunctive, Is II mean,
\ strong impclling force.
Wherein each doth its substance draw
~ from Il common sorcc
Then welcome lc the natal morn
l.r. festive JOYS he spread,
Let every heart iur true loves sake
With loving ewes hc rcad.
For Bishop Valentine doth w"o.
And r"val lIymcn wed
&. V. WHITE.
February llth. 1894
Woman suilragists in annual cor
clave at Washington this week.