The Handsome Heart: at a Gracious Answer

28 of 73 · 1 min of reading

'BUT tell me, child, your choice; what shall I buy

You?'--'Father, what you buy me I like best.'

With the sweetest air that said, still plied and pressed,

He swung to his first poised purport of reply.

What the heart is! which, like carriers let fly--

Doff darkness, homing nature knows the rest--

To its own fine function, wild and self-instressed,

Falls light as ten years long taught how to and why.

Mannerly-hearted! more than handsome face--

Beauty's bearing or muse of mounting vein,

All, in this case, bathed in high hallowing grace . . .

Of heaven what boon to buy you, boy, or gain

Not granted?--Only ... O on that path you pace

Run all your race, O brace sterner that strain!

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End of part 28 of 73