A Violet in her Hair

Charles Swain (1801–1874)

A VIOLET in her lovely hair,

A rose upon her bosom fair!

But O, her eyes

A lovelier violet disclose,

And her ripe lips the sweetest rose

That ’s ’neath the skies.

A lute beneath her graceful hand

Breathes music forth at her command;

But still her tongue

Far richer music calls to birth

Than all the minstrel power on earth

Can give to song.

And thus she moves in tender light,

The purest ray, where all is bright,

Serene, and sweet;

And sheds a graceful influence round,

That hallows e’en the very ground

Beneath her feet!