Poems (Robert Underwood Johnson)/To Leonora
TO LEONORA(AT HER DÉBUT, OCTOBER 18, 1891)
Fair sister of the Muses, 't is the hour,
Dearest of all, when thou dost wed thy Art.
No bride more radiant a more single heart
Gave to her chosen—and what noble dower!
Graces akin to forest and to flower;
A spirit blithe as dawn; a soul astart;
A nature rich, to keep thee what thou art—
A star of beauty and a flame of power.
Dearest of all, when thou dost wed thy Art.
No bride more radiant a more single heart
Gave to her chosen—and what noble dower!
Graces akin to forest and to flower;
A spirit blithe as dawn; a soul astart;
A nature rich, to keep thee what thou art—
A star of beauty and a flame of power.
Now, while the trancéd throng turn each to each
Sharing their joy, think'st thou on those young years
When many a day and night was unbeguiled
Save by this love that lightened toil and tears?
Thy music melts upon the verge of speech;
Fame greets the artist—I, the constant child.
Sharing their joy, think'st thou on those young years
When many a day and night was unbeguiled
Save by this love that lightened toil and tears?
Thy music melts upon the verge of speech;
Fame greets the artist—I, the constant child.