TO WINNIE

By Hannah Lavinia Baily

Stars will shine on, tho thou art gone,

But we shall miss the gleaming

Of one bright eye's responsive smile,

And love-light softly beaming.

And flowers will bloom,— but we shall miss

A fragrance and a beauty

That brightened for us here and there

The sombre path of duty.

And friends will greet us on our way,

But we shall miss the sweetness

Of a fair presence that hath made

So much of life's completeness.

And yet‘ tis well; we give thee joy,

And pray with this caressing;

That love and peace without alloy

May be thy bridal blessing.