- WHAT rich and precious token,
- Sweet Mary, shall I bring thee from this shore,
- To prove the truth of words to thee oft spoken
- In days of yore?
- Some shell, with beauty glowing,
- Won from the depths of ocean's rolling waves,
- Where sea-born melodies fore'er are flowing
- Through gem-lit caves?
- Or shall I, dangers scorning,
- Seek the deep windings of the sparkling mine
- To find some jewels rich, earth's heart adorning,
- To bring to thine?
- Shall I, dear, lovely maiden,
- Search through this sunny clime for flowers rare,
- With beauty and with fragrance richly laden,
- To deck they hair?
- Or bring thee birds the brightest,
- Whose plumage bears the rainbow's softest dyes;
- That, with sweet, gushing music, float the lightest
- Through sunny skies?
- Or, where bright forms are wreathing
- The minstrel's coronet of greenest bay,
- Shall I, the richest music of my young heart breathing,
- Bear one away?
- Or what rich, precious token,
- Sweet Mary, shall I bring thee from this shore,
- To prove the truth of words to thee oft spoken
- In days of yore?
- Methinks, in sadness sighing,
- I see sweet Mary seek her bower alone,
- And thus unto my inquiries replying,
- In angel tone:—
- I ask no precious token;
- I ask no jewel, flower, or ocean shell:
- The words, the burning words which thou hast spoken,
- Are cherished well.
- Speak not of gifts all shining;
- They cannot make the lonely heart rejoice.
- Oh, how my weary, weary soul is pining
- To hear thy voice!
- And I am ever yearning
- For that long-wished for, joyous day to come,
- When, from that far-off land thy footsteps turning,
- Thou'lt seek thy home.
- Oft, when the stars are glowing,
- With all their beauty, in the evening sky;
- When gentle eve her spell o'er earth is throwing,
- I think thee nigh.
- And when, at midnight, dreaming,
- When sleep has chased day's saddening cares away,
- Then blissful thoughts of thee come o'er me gleaming,
- With hope's bright ray.
- Oh, bring no other token,
- But that pure, loving heart that once I knew;
- Then I shall feel the words thou oft hast spoken
- Were all, all true!
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