Lilly-White Hand.

Place thy lilly-white hand in mine,     Maid with the wealth of golden hair; -     Tresses, that gleaming like gold, entwine,     Round about a sweet face so fair.     Sweetheart, oh! whisper once more the words,     That came from those coral lips of thine,     And bound thee to me by those silken cords, -     And place thy lilly-white hand in mine,     Place thy lilly-white hand in mine,     That its gentle pressure may tell my heart     That the idol round which I had reared a shrine,     Is mine, - mine, - never from me to part.     Sweetest and fairest of woman kind!     Gentlest, kindest, lovingest, best, -     Virtues with beauties are so combined,     That manhood pays homage at love's behest.     Place thy lilly-white hand in mine,     Let its velvet touch on my horny palm,     Comfort, encourage, embolden, refine, -     This grosser clay, by its subtle charm.     Long as life lasts let me clasp thy hand,     As a pledge of our oneness, existing now;     And when I depart for the better land,     Let it rest for a while on my death-cold brow.     Falsehood, treachery, sickness, pain, -     I have endured, yet hopefully stand     Strong in the thought I have lived not in vain.     Had I won but this treasure, - this lilly-white hand.