Living
To Miss Martha H——
From Poems (1851), vol. II: Miscellaneous Sonnets
Martha, thy maiden foot is still so light,
It leaves no legible trace on virgin snows,
And yet I ween that busily it goes
In duty's path from happy morn to night.
Thy dimpled cheek is gay, and softly bright
As the fixt beauty of the mossy rose ;
Yet will it change its hue for other's woes,
And native red contend with piteous white.
Thou bear'st a name by Jesus known and loved,
And Jesus gently did the maid reprove
For too much haste to show her eager love.
But blest is she that may be so reproved.
Be Martha still in deed and good endeavour.
In faith like Mary, at His feet for ever.
Cite this poem
MLA
Coleridge, Hartley. “To Miss Martha H——.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/coleridge_h/121/.
Chicago
Coleridge, Hartley. “To Miss Martha H——.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/coleridge_h/121/.
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