Caroline Norton Zitate

“Every poet hopes that after-times
Shall set some value on his votive lay.”

“I am listening for the voices
Which I heard in days of old.”

“A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers;
There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth of woman’s tears.”

“O Twilight! Spirit that dost render birth
To dim enchantments; melting heaven with earth,
Leaving on craggy hills and running streams
A softness like the atmosphere of dreams.”

“Love not! love not! ye hopeless sons of clay;
Hope’s gayest wreaths are made of earthly flowers—
Things that are made to fade and fall away,
Ere they have blossomed for a few short hours.”

“Too innocent for coquetry, too fond for idle scorning—
Oh friend, I fear the lightest heart makes sometimes heaviest mourning.”

“We have been friends together
In sunshine and in shade.
Since first beneath the chestnut-tree
In fancy we played
But coldness dwells within thine heart
A cloud is on thy brow.
We have been friends together,—
Shall a light word part us now?”