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A continuing selection of classic and contemporary poems.

A Blessing

John Hay

After Heine.


When I look on thee and feel how dear,
  How pure, and how fair thou art,
Into my eyes there steals a tear,
And a shadow mingled of love and fear
  Creeps slowly over my heart.

And my very hands feel as if they would lay
  Themselves on thy fair young head,
And pray the good God to keep thee alway
As good and lovely, as pure and gay,—
  When I and my wild love are dead.
Online text © 1998-2009 Poetry X. All rights reserved.
From Pike County Ballads and Other Poems | 1890
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