Utterance, Or, Private Voices to the Public Heart; A Collection of Home-Poems

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1852 edition. Excerpt: ...out To keep their watchful vigils o'er the earth Till morn shall come again. 'Tis a rare night! The earth is full of music, and the air Seems like soft breathings from a calmer world, It floats so peacefully--and over all, On sloping hill-side, and in every dell, Lies the fair, liquid moonlight with a spell Of dream-like witchery and glorious strength! And yet I love it not--this peerless night--It has a tinge of sadness and it speaks With mournful meaning to my shrinking heart; And when all else are joyous, and the young Are weaving hours of pleasure 'neath the light Of the soft moon, and reading tales of love And kindly sympathy in each dear face By her sweet beams, I turn aside and weep! For there are none to love me with such strength Of human tenderness--there's none to lay Her hand upon my drooping head, and breathe A mother's holy blessing--none to note My sadder moments--none when I would weep, To soothe with gentle words the weary heart That beats too often 'neath a gayer mood! I do remember well one summer night--Just such a night as this--I had been out To taste the balmy air, and fan my cheek, Made pale with weary watchings by the couch Where lay my blessed Mother, day by day Wasting with painful sickness. I had watched The long, long day beside her, and when eve With its sweet calm drew on, they bade me go And breathe the pleasant air. And so I went, Lonely and sad, to wander out beneath The star-lit heavens. It was as fair a night, As gloriously beautiful, as this; The very air seemed burdened with its weight Of light and loveliness, and every flower Sent up its tribute of delicious sweets From half-closed petals--but the glowing air, And the soft verdure, and the scented flowers, Were wearisome to my spirit, and awoke No chord of...