Sweet-and-Twenty

Like a Lady from a far land,
Came my true Love brave to see!
As to heaven its rainbow garland,
Is her beauty rich to me.
Nearest to my heart I wear her;
As a bark the waves above —
O so proudly do I bear her
On the bosom of my love.
Or as some dim lake may mirror
One fair star that shines above,
So my life — aye growing clearer —
Holds this tremulous star of love.

Look you, how she cometh, trilling
Out her gay heart's bird-like bliss!
Merry as a May-morn, thrilling
With the dew and sunshine's kiss.
Ruddy gossips of her beauty
Are her twin cheeks: and her mouth
In its ripe warmth sinileth, fruity
As a garden of the south.
Ha! my precious Sweet-and-Twenty,
Husband up your virgin pride!
Just a month, and this dear, dainty
Thing shall be my wedded Bride.