Charlotte Richardson

Custom, whose laws we all allow, And bow before his shrine, Has so ordained, my friend, that you Are now my Valentine. Ah, could my humble Muse aspire To catch the flame divine! These are the gifts that I’d require For thee, my Valentine! May virtue o’er thy steps preside And in thy conduct shine; May truth and wisdom ever guide And guard my Valentine. May piety, seraphic maid, Her influence divine Shed on thy head, and ever lead, And bless my Valentine. Life’s dangerous paths safe may’st thou tread, Shielded by Grace divine; And when these artless lines are read, Think on my Valentine!

Cold blew the freezing northern blast, And winter sternly frowned; The flaky snow fell thick and fast, And clad the fields around. Forced by the storm’s relentless power, Emboldened by despair, A shivering redbreast sought my door, Some friendly warmth to share. ‘Welcome, sweet bird!’ I fondly cried, ‘No danger need’st thou fear, Secure with me thou may’st abide, Till warmer suns appear. ‘And when mild spring comes smiling on, And bids the fields look gay, Thou, with thy sweet, thy grateful song, My kindness shalt repay.’ Mistaken thought! — But how shall I The mournful truth display? An envious cat, with jealous eye, Had marked him as her prey. Remorseless wretch! — her cruel jaws Soon sealed her victim’s doom, While I in silence mourn his loss, And weep o’er robin’s tomb. So, oft in life’s uneven way, Some stroke may intervene; Sweep all our fancied joys away, And change the flattering scene.

Soft falls the shower, the thunders cease! And see the messenger of peace Illumes the eastern skies; Blest sign of firm unchanging love! While others seek the cause to prove, That bids thy beauties rise. My soul, content with humbler views, Well pleased admires thy varied hues, And can with joy behold Thy beauteous form, and wondering gaze Enraptured on thy mingled rays Of purple, green, and gold. Enough for me to deem divine The hand that paints each glowing line; To think that thou art given A transient gleam of that bright place Where Beauty owns celestial grace, A faint display of Heaven!