254 SMILES. 



Of the sweet strain was over and then all 

 Died with its soothing power. 



We have paused 

 To look upon that spirit and admire 

 Its fair and innocent beauty, day by day ; 

 As ye would something dear and much beloved. — 

 O I it was exquisitely graceful, like 

 The earliest flower of azure Springes first love, 

 — And when it smiled, its fond, endearing smile 

 Beamed like the winning one than Fancy throws 

 On virgin youth. 



Sometimes, as if enchained 

 With the serene illusion of a dream, 

 We thought we touched that lovely spirit's hand. 

 Its small and delicate hand until we felt 

 The gentle pressure vibrate through our hearts 

 Like a sweet sound from an attuned string, 

 Most musical ! 



Alas ! that spirit now 

 Is gone — ^the scenery it enhanced is sear, 

 The spot hath lost its only fadeless charm, 

 As when the song-bird of the summer night 

 Hath left the shade of its remembered dell — 

 Or when the lily of the valley dies. 



SMILES. 



O ! there are smiles 

 Sweeter, more rapturous than these — than all — 

 And Memory hoards them up, with fondest care. 

 The richest of her gems : men think on them 

 When they are treading the world's pilgrimage. 

 As the swart Lybian thinks upon the flowers 

 Of the oasis in the wilderness. 

 These are the smiles of Love. 



There are smiles 

 Of milder, blander light, like evening 

 They cheer the friendly circle, and are found 

 Hallowing the soothing scenes of sacred home ; 

 A mother has such smiles of gentleness 

 When contemplating, as Cornelia did, 

 Her jewels in her children. 



