JOSEPHINE.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 338, 30 May 1885, Page 4

JOSEPHINE.

We did riot meet in courtly hall, Where Birth and Beauty throng, Where Luxury holds festival, And wit awakes the song ; .We "met where darker spirits meet, In the home of Sin aud Shame, Where Satan shows his cloven foof, And hides his titled name ; And she knew she could not be, Love, What once, she might have been, But she was kind to me, Love, My pretty Josephine. We did not part beneath the sky, As warn: er lovers part, Where Night conceals the glistening ey&, But not the throbbing heart ; We parted on the spot of ground Where we first had laughed at lave, And ever the jests were loud around And the lamps were bright above* ' The heaven is very dark, Lovey The blast is very keen , But merrily rides my bark, L®>v^e — Good night, my Josephine !' She did not speak of ring or vow y But filled the cup of wine And took the roses from her brow To-make.a wreath for mine ; And bade me when the gale should lift My light skiff o'er the wave, To think as little of the gift As of the hand that gave. ' Go gayly o'er the sea, Love, And find your own heart's queen ; And look not back to me, Love, Your humble Josephine !' That garland breathes and blooms no more, Past are those idle hours ; I would not, could I choose, restore The fondness or the flowers ; Yet oft their withered witchery Revives its wonted thrill — Remembered — not with Passion's sigh; But oh ! remembered still. I And even from you side, Love, And even from this scene, One look is o'er the tide, Love y One thought with Josephine ; Alas ! your lips are rosier, Your eyes of softer blue, And I have never felt for her As I have felt for you ; Our love was like the bright snowflakes, "Which melt before you pass — Or the bubble on the wine, which breaks Before you lip the glass. You saw these eyelids wet, Love, Which she had never seen ; But bid me not forget, Love, My poor Josephine ! — PEAED.