Blind Louise

She knew that she was growing blind —
Foresaw the dreary night
That soon would fall, without a star,
Upon her fading sight:
Yet never did she make complaint,
But pray'd each day might bring
A beauty to her waning eyes —
The loveliness of Spring!
She dreaded that eclipse which might
Perpetually enclose
Sad memories of a leafless world — -
A spectral realm of snows.
She 'd rather that the verdure left
An evergreen to shine
Within her heart, as summer leaves
Its memory on the pine.
She had her wish: for when the sun
O'erhung his eastern towers,
And shed his benediction on
A world of May-time flowers —
We found her seated, as of old,
In her accustom'd place,
A midnight in her sightless eyes,
And morn upon her face!