| Hunt and Lee, comps. The Book of the Sonnet. 1867. | | | | I. “Shepherd, with meek brow wreathed with blossoms sweet” | | By Mrs. Elizabeth Fries Ellet (1818–1877) |
| | | SHEPHERD, with meek brow wreathed with blossoms sweet, | |
| Who guard’st thy timid flock with tenderest care; | |
| Who guid’st in sunny paths their wandering feet, | |
| And the young lambs dost in thy bosom bear; | |
| Who lead’st thy happy flock to pastures fair, | 5 |
| And by still waters at the noon of day, | |
| Charming with lute divine the silent air, | |
| What time they linger on the verdant way;— | |
| Good Shepherd! might one gentle distant strain | |
| Of that immortal melody sink deep | 10 |
| Into my heart, and pierce its careless sleep, | |
| And melt by powerful love its sevenfold chain,— | |
| O, then my soul thy voice should know, and flee | |
| To mingle with thy flock, and ever follow thee. | | | | |
|
|
