LONG AGO.

Long ago a blue-eyed cherub

In my arms

Softly lay and sweetly smiled—

Spotless, holy, undefiled—

And my troubled heart beguiled

With its charms.

Long ago, on angel’s pinion,

To my breast

Came a gentle, timid dove—

Stole the treasure of my love—

Upward soared, no more to rove

From its nest.

Long ago my seraph maiden

Took her flight

From a dreary, darkling world—

She her radiant wings unfurled,

And the heavenly gates of pearl

Shut my sight.

Long ago the angel reaper

Cruel sore

Gave my heart its keenest blow,

Made my tears of anguish flow,

Bid me onward weeping go—

Evermore.

Long ago the fair world faded

In mine eyes,

And I burn to clasp that child.

With a love more fondly wild

Than when first she sweetly smiled

From the skies.

Long ago one lock I severed

From her brow,

And that sunny little tress

In its shining loveliness—

To my heart I fondly press

Ever now.

In my dreams I meet the maiden—

Passing fair

Far beyond the frost and snow

Doth my lovely flow’ret blow—

And my tears no longer flow

For her there.

E. H.