Henry J. Finn (1787–1840)

THE GOLDEN meshes of gay delight

That beckon the senses but to beguile

Have flash’d their mad and meteor light

On the soul, enslaved by the witching wile.

And passion has heated the heart of one,

Who deem’d him blest in its burning beam

As the simple fly, in the summer’s sun,

Floats on the ray, through its daily dream.

But the charm is gone—and the chain is cleft—

That menaced to bind my fancy ever;

Yet the link inlaid with gems, is left,

Which love has cemented ne’er to sever.

Farewell! for the rainbow tints are fled

From the wings of pleasure. But much more sweet

And pure, is the lovelier light that ’s shed

From thy look of life, when our glances meet.

And memory smiles at the distant sea,

Where the waters roll o’er the wreck of pride;

For the calms of summer have come with thee,

My boon, my blessing—and my bride!