Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE PURITAN LOVERS, by ANNIE DOUGLAS GREEN ROBINSON First Line: Drawn out, like lingering bees, to share Last Line: Of white life-everlasting. Alternate Author Name(s): Douglas, Marian Subject(s): Love; Pilgrim Fathers | ||||||||
DRAWN out, like lingering bees, to share The last, sweet summer weather, Beneath the reddening maples walked Two Puritans together, A youth and maiden, heeding not The woods which round them brightened, Just conscious of each other's thoughts, Half happy and half frightened. Grave were their brows, and few their words, And coarse their garb and simple; The maiden's very cheek seemed shy To own its worldly dimple. For stern the time; they dwelt with Care, And Fear was oft a comer; A sober April ushered in The Pilgrim's toilful summer. And stern their creed; they tarried here Mere desert-land sojourners: They must not dream of mirth or rest, God's humble lesson-learners. The temple's sacred perfume round Their week-day robes was clinging; Their mirth was but the golden bells On priestly garments ringing. But as to-day they softly talked, That serious youth and maiden, Their plainest words strange beauty wore, Like weeds with dewdrops laden. The saddest theme had something sweet, The gravest, something tender, While with slow steps they wandered on, Mid summer's fading splendor. He said, "Next week the church will hold A day of prayer and fasting"; And then he stopped, and bent to pick A white life-everlasting, A silvery bloom, with fadeless leaves; He gave it to her, sighing; A mute confession was his glance, Her blush, a mute replying. "Mehetabel!" (at last he spoke,) "My fairest one and dearest! One thought is ever to my heart The sweetest and the nearest. "You read my soul; you know my wish; O, grant me its fulfilling!" She answered low, "If Heaven smiles, And if my father's willing!" No idle passion swayed her heart, This quaint New England beauty! Faith was the guardian of her life, Obedience was a duty. Too truthful for reserve, she stood, Her brown eyes earthward casting, And held with trembling hand the while Her white life-everlasting. Her sober answer pleased the youth, Frank, clear, and gravely cheerful; He left her at her father's door, Too happy to be fearful. She looked on high, with earnest plea, And Heaven seemed bright above her; And when she shyly spoke his name, Her father praised her lover. And when, that night, she sought her couch, With head-board high and olden, Her prayer was praise, her pillow down, And all her dreams were golden. And still upon her throbbing heart, In bloom and breath undying, A few life-everlasting flowers, Her lover's gift, were lying. O Venus' myrtles, fresh and green! O Cupid's blushing roses! Not on your classic flowers alone The sacred light reposes; Though gentler care may shield your buds From north-winds rude and blasting, As dear to Love, those few, pale flowers Of white life-everlasting. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE MAYFLOWER [DECEMBER 21, 1620] by ERASTUS WOLCOTT ELLSWORTH BOSTON HYMN; READ IN MUSIC HALL, JANUARY 1, 1863 by RALPH WALDO EMERSON THE LANDING OF THE PILGRIM FATHERS IN NEW ENGLAND [NOVEMBER 19, 1620] by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS THE COURTSHIP OF MILES STANDISH by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW THE PILGRIM FATHERS by JOHN PIERPONT THE FIRST PROCLAMATION OF MILES STANDISH [NOVEMBER 23, 1620] by MARGARET JUNKIN PRESTON THE INDIAN'S WELCOME TO THE PILGRIM FATHERS by LYDIA HUNTLEY SIGOURNEY SONG OF THE PILGRIMS [SEPTEMBER 16, 1620] by THOMAS COGSWELL UPHAM THE PILGRIM FATHERS by LEONARD BACON (1802-1881) ONE SATURDAY by ANNIE DOUGLAS GREEN ROBINSON |
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