ALMOND LAUREL 
YOU HAVE POISONED MY HEART. 
Give me back my childhood’s truth! 
Give me back my guileless youth! 
Pleasure, Glory, Fortune, Fame,— 
These I will not stoop to claim: 
Take them! All of Beauty’s power, 
All the triumph of this hour, 
Is not worth one blush you stole— 
Give me back my bloom of soul! 
Take the cup and take the gem! 
What have I to do with them ? 
Loose the garland from my hair! 
Thou shouldst wind the night-shade there ;— 
Thou, who wreath’st, with flattering art, 
Poison flowers to bind my heart , 
Give me back the rose you stole! 
Give me back my bloom of soul! 
F. S. O. 
TO .... 
Some mount to fame 
On deeds that claim 
The lustre Truth imparts: 
Thou—more sublime, 
When thou dost climb, 
Thy steps are human hearts. 
M. L. S. 
