Unknown Lines to the Portrait of Col. Thomas F. Burpee
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02744.339 Author/Creator: Unknown Place Written: s.l. Type: Poem Date: 1861-1877 Pagination: 2 p. ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm. Order a Copy
"Why speak'st thou not, my precious one?/There as I gaze, me thinks thou might/One word from thee, my darling one,/Would fill my heart with strange delight...
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Lines to the Portrait of Col. T. F. Burpee.
[struck: Lines to Col. T.F. Burpee's picture]
'Tis thine, that calm and thoughtful brow,
That quick eye so full of love;
And as I gaze upon thee now
My breath withholds to see thee move,
To see those lips asunder part
In tones that would my heart-strings [inserted: thrill,]
To feel thee clasp me to thy heart
And whisper "Loved one rest here still."
Why speak'st though not, my precious one?
Sure, as I gaze, methinks thou might.
One word from thee, my darling one,
Would fill my heart with strange delight.
Alas! I look and wait in vain
And listen for my loved one's voice;
My tears are falling like the rain,
O'er thee, my own, my youthful choice,
[2]
And only in the "Better Land"
Where tears and sorrows are unknown,
Where white-robed millions waiting stand
Before the Father's glorious Throne,
There only shall I meet thee, love,
And share with thee the martyr's crown.
When earthly scenes are fading, love,
You'll wait to bear me near the Throne.
Then shall I hear thy spirit voice
In tones more sweet than mortals hear;
Then will my widowed heart rejoice
In bliss <text loss> tear.
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