On a Violet

I placed thee on my breast, sweet flower;There, thou did'st live thy little hour,I pluck 'd thee not from nature's bower—But he—whom I love best,Gave thee to me, with sunny smile,One quiet moonlight night:And though it seemeth a long while,I cannot think that ought of guileCould dim that smile's pure light.

I prized the gift, but oh! much moreThe sun-bright smile his features wore:Ah! if these happy days are o'er,Still of that smile I'll dream.In vision, it will come to bless,When length'ning shadows fall;And twilight, with her sombre dressStealeth around in loneliness,'Twill shed a gleam o'er all.