Poem by Thomas Cooper

Love's Challenge

WHAT meant that glancing of thine eye,
That softly hushed, yet struggling sigh?
Hast thou a thought of woe or weal,
Which breathed, my bosom would not feel?
Why shouldst thou, then, that thought conceal,
Or hide it from my mind, Love?

Didst thou e'er breathe a sigh to me,
And I not breathe as deep to thee?
Or hast thou whispered in mine ear
A word of sorrow or of fear,—
Or have I seen thee shed a tear,—
And looked a thought unkind, Love?

Did e'er a gleam of Love's sweet ray
Across thy beaming countenance play,—
Or joy its seriousness beguile,
And o'er it cast a radiant smile,—
And mine with kindred joy, the while,
Not glow as bright as thine, Love?

Why wouldst thou, then, that something seek
To hide within thy breast,—nor speak,
Its load of doubt, of grief, or fear,
Of joy, or sorrow, to mine ear,—
Assured this heart would gladly bear
A burthen borne by thine, Love? 

1. To——
2. The Woodman's Song
3. The Swineherd of Stow
4. The Gosherd of Croyland
5. The Old Man's Song

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