SELECT POETRY.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume X, Issue 571, 21 August 1880, Page 1 (Supplement)

SELECT POETRY.

FAINT HEART. She stood before him, tall and fair And gracious, on that summer's day, "With June's first roses in her hair, And on her cheek the bloom of May. But rosy cheek, and dimpled chin, And raven lashes drooping low, Conceal the answer he would win : It might Ive Yes ; would it be No ? Ah, if 't wore No—his throbbing heart Stood fairly still with sudden pain ; And if't were Yes, the world so wide His deep content could scarce contain. So wondrous fair ! how could she stoop To favour such a one as he ? Ah, sweet suspense that still leaves hope ! Ah, pain of sad uncertainty ! He held her hand so white and small, And moved to pr<ss it with his lips, But changed his mind and let it fall, With chillest touch of finger tips, And took the seat she offered him Upon the sofa by hor side. Nor made the space between them less, Which seemed so narrow, y»t so wide. Then gazing on the perfect face. The dimpled mouth, the scions eyes, And drinking in with eager ears, The music of her low replies, He let the bright hours drift away, Nor told the secret of his heart, But when the shadows lengthened lay, Hose, all reluctant, to dopart. And stammered forth, with blushing cheek, An eager, timorous request That she, for ohl acquaintance' sal'e, Would grant the rosebud from her breast. She gave it him, with downcast eyes, And watched him leave her, with a sigh. ' So good,' she said, ' so true, so wise ; Ah me, if he were not so shy !'