To Cordelia
by James Nack
Bright eyes, fair tresses, cherub faces,
And forms that paragon the Graces,
Are found in twenty thousand places.
But for a mind of gifted splendor,
A heart confiding, true, and tender,
The world has very few to render.
Those treasures are to thee imparted,
For thou on life's career hast started,
With gifted mind and open-hearted.
A name is thine that lives for ages,
And every sympathy engages,
On Shakspeare's consecrated pages.
Cordelia! true and faithful ever,
Whose love and duty wavered never!
Her sainted name shall live for ever!
And all that we in her admire,
Should duty call or love require,
Thy generous bosom will inspire.
But may no grief like hers attend thee,
But every joy that earth can lend thee,
And every good that heaven can send thee.
Come to my heart! and closer pressing,
Receive, if it be worth possessing,
A poet's love, a poet's blessing.
Source:
The Romance Of The Ring, And Other Poems.Copyright 1859
Delisser & Procter, 508 Broadway, New York