Unknown [Love Poem]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.10.231 Author/Creator: Unknown Place Written: s.l. Type: Poem Date: n.d. Pagination: 1 p. ; 35.9 x 11.6 cm. Order a Copy
A love poem, separated into seven sections.
Maitland Collection. Joseph Maitland enlisted on 8 August 1862 as a Private. He was mustered into "G" Co. OH 95th Infantry. He was mustered out 31 May 1865 at Memphis, Tennessee.
[Draft Created by Crowdsourcing]
Would I could think of thee as lightly.
1. I would that I could think of thee as lightly
As of all others that I meet along my way.
How gladly would I tear thine image from me
And cast it to the winds of Heaven away
Like some frail flower, where beauty lingered but a [inserted: day]
2. Long months have passed since first I learned to love thee
Since first my heart responded unto thine's
Yet time nor distance will have power to change me
And writhing still this [retched] heart of mine
Would gladly, life and all of Earth resign.
3.The purest, deepest, love my heart has ever known.
I gave to thee, yet gave it not unasked.
I could have shared a prison proudly as a throne
If thy dear hand had but mine clasped,
And dreamed that thou, and Heaven were mine at
4 Weary & sick at heart I'll turn away from other's [inserted: love]
And weep because I have no heart to give,
And pray for strength from the "Great Source above,"
That He will teach me patiently to live,
And drink the bitter cups He seeith fit to give.
5. I would not hate thee, I would not my heart
Should turn to bitterness, or hold one thought of [inserted: wrong]
Nay! rather (that we're destined thus to part)
Let me still pray for one I've loved so long -
Nor seek to make life darker still with bitterness and [inserted: wrong]
6 The shadows darken as along life's daily path I tread;
I'll seek in change to dissipate the gloom;
Yet everywhere my weary feet are led,
I see but darkness, rayless as the tomb,
Which will not hide me though I pray for room.
7. alone! upon my ear those words are ever ringing
It matters not where my feet may chance to stray
I hear them, to my sad heart ever bringing
Back thoughts of one I would, but cannot cast away,
Alone, alone! oh God to thee for help I pray.
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