Lines Written on Returning
A Lady's Violin
Return, sweet violin, and render
To thy mistress, echoes tender,
Born of songs I've breathed to thee:
Whisper forth in plaintive ditty,
Thrill her gentle soul with pity,
Tune her thoughts to love and me!
If she laugh, and cry "Oh folly!
This is but Love's melancholy,"
Then in lighter lyrics sing,
Murmuring in melodious measure,
How her heart's fairest treasure
Bounteous earth to me can bring!
In thy crannies I have hidden
Songs which need but to be bidden
And their notes will wake anew:
Songs to soothe her grief and sadness,
Summon mirth, woo bliss and gladness,
Songs for every season due.
Go, wanton in the warm caresses
Of maiden hand and cheek and tresses
Happy, happy violin!
Could I be thou when as thou liest
On her breast and softly sighest
Greater joy were none to win.
—Will Hill
The Cosmopolitan. July, 1895. p. 300.
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Miss Geraldine Morgan
notebook with 1897 article
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