Selleck Osborn (1783–1826)

MARK ye that cloud, whose sudden shade

Succeeds the recent smile of morn;

Such was the frown of my dear maid

Whose early love was turn’d to scorn!

Oh, how that frown did chill my heart,

And quench my too presumptuous flame!

Of my regret how keen the smart!

How glow’d my burning cheek with shame!

How could I, with unhallow’d lip,

That bosom’s purity profane?

Or dare ambrosial sweets to sip,

For which e’en love had sued in vain?

Mark how that cloud, in drops of pearl,

Dissolves, as sunshine breaks the while:

So wept my kind, relenting girl,

When penitence regain’d her smile.

Mark, how that mild, cerulean hue,

Expands, amidst retiring shade;

’T was thus her eye, of heavenly blue,

All her returning love betray’d.

Mark too, that bow, of splendid light,

That bends o’er earth its graceful form,

That shines so cheering to the sight,

When bursting sunbeams chase the storm:

As glows that signal, from above,

Of promised peace ’tween man and heaven,

So glow’d the blush of yielding love,

While gently murm’ring, “thou ’rt forgiven.”