O Lady mine,
Through my very heart they shine;
And, if my brow gives back their light,
Do thou look gladly on the sight;
As the clear moon with modest pride
Beholds her own bright beams
Reflected from the mountain's side
And from the headlong streams.

_Poems of the Affections, 18._

How beautiful when up a lofty height
Honour ascends.
* * * * *
A Widow ...
She wasted no complaint, but strove to make
A just repayment, both for conscience's sake
And that herself and hers should stand upright
In the world's eye.

_The Widow._

The Maiden grew
Pious and pure, modest and yet so brave,
Though young, so wise, though meek, so resolute.

_Grace Darling._

In her face and mien
The soul's pure brightness he beheld,
Without a veil between.

_The Russian Fugitive._

We her discretion have observed,
Her just opinions, delicate reserve,
Her patience, and humility of mind.
Unspoiled by commendation....

_The Borderers._

O Lady, worthy of earth's proudest throne!
Nor less, by excellence of nature, fit
Beside an unambitious hearth to sit
Domestic queen, where grandeur is unknown;
What living man could fear
The worst of Fortune's malice, wert thou near,
Humbling that lily-stem, thy sceptre meek,
That its fair flowers may from his cheek
Brush the too happy tear!

_The Triad._

Queen, and handmaid lowly!
Whose skill can speed the day with lively cares,
And banish melancholy
By all that mind invents or hand prepares;
* * * * *
Who that hath seen thy beauty could content
His soul with but a glimpse!

_The Triad._

Dear girl ...
If thou appear untouched by solemn thought,
Thy nature is not therefore less divine;
Thou liest in Abraham's bosom all the year;
And worshipp'st at the Temple's inner shrine,
God being with thee when we know it not.

_Sonnet._

I knew a maid,
A young enthusiast ...
Her eye was not the mistress of her heart;
Far less did rules prescribed by passive taste
Or barren, intermeddling subtleties,
Perplex her mind; but wise as women are
When genial circumstance hath favoured them,
She welcomed what w