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Augusta: William Brand to Kate Armentrout, March 28, 1861

Summary:
This love poem is presumably from William Brand to Kate Armentrout.

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March 28th 1861

Greenville, Augusta Co Va

Tis said that absence conquers love
But oh believe it not.
I've tried alas its powers to prove,
But thou art not forgot.
Lady though fate has bid us part
Yet still thou art as dear-
As fixed to this devoted heart
As when I clasped you here.
I plunged into the busy crowd,
And smiled to hear thy name,
And yet as if I thought aloud
They know me still the same.
And when the wine-cup passes round,
I toast some other fair;
But when I ask my heart the sound
Thy name is echoed there.


[page 2]
And when some other name I learn
And try to whisper love,
Still will my heart to thee return
Like the returning dove;
In vain I never can forget
And would not be forgot,
For I must bear the same regret
Whatever may be my lot.
Even as the wounded bird would seek,
His favorite bower to die
So lady I would with you speak
And give the parting sigh.
If other guests should come I'd deck my hair
And choose my newest garments from the shelf
When though art bidden I would clothe my heart
With holist purpose as for god him self.
For them I wile the hours with tale or song
Or web of fancy, fringed with careless rhyme,
But how to find a fitting lay for thee,
Who hast the harmonies of every time.


[page 3]
God bless you darling when the morn
Shames far away the mist of night
And trails above the waving corn
Her gorgeous glory robes of light.
God bless you when the sunset tints
Warm the high battlements of heaven,
As day a fond warm kiss imprints
Upon the gentle brown of even.
God bless you may your sleep be sweet
And fraught with bright & peaceful dreams.
And waking may your youthful feet
Tread mid lovers flowers by Crystal streams.
Oh friend beloved, I sit apart and dumb
Sometimes in sorrow, oft in joy divine,
My lips will falter, but my prison'd heart
Springs forth to measure its faint pulse with thine.

Written by your humble friend

William

P.S. Scorn not the simple words Though with simple rustics lowered.