SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.


* * * * *


TO CAROLINE, VISCOUNTESS VALLETORT.

WRITTEN AT LACOCK ABBEY, JANUARY, 1832.

_By Thomas Moore, Esq._


When I would sing thy beauty's light,
Such various forms, and all so bright,
I've seen thee, from thy childhood, wear,
I know not which to call most fair,
Nor 'mong the countless charms that spring
For ever round thee, _which_ to sing.

When I would paint thee, as thou _art_,
Then all thou _wert_ comes o'er my heart,--
The graceful child, in beauty's dawn,
Within the nursery's shade withdrawn,
Or peeping out,--like a young moon
Upon a world 'twill brighten soon.
Then next, in girlhood's blushing hour,