Sweet are the thoughts that stir the virgin's breast <br />When love first enters there, a timid guest; <br />Before her dazzled eyes gay visions shine, <br />And laughing Cupids wreaths of roses twine; <br />And conscious beauty hastens to employ <br />Her span of empire and her dream of joy. <br /> <br />Sarah! not thus to thee his power is shown; <br />More stern he greets thee from his awful throne. <br />Thee, called to bid thy cheering converse flow, <br />And shed thy sweetness in the house of woe; <br />The solemn sympathies of grief to share, <br />And, sadly smiling, soothe a sister's care. <br /> <br />O'er her young hopes the sable pall is spread; <br />Her wedded heart holds converse with the dead; <br />To ties, no longer earthly, fondly true, <br />Each thought that breathes of love, must breathe of heaven too. <br /> <br />Thus, Sarah, love thy nobler mind prepares, <br />Shows thee his dangers, duties, sorrows, cares; <br />Thus with severer lessons schools thy heart, <br />And, pleased his happiest influence to impart, <br />For thee, dismissing from his chastened train <br />Each motley form of fickle, light, or vain, <br />Builds the strong fabric of that love sublime <br />Which conquers Death, and triumphs over Time.<br /><br />Anna Laetitia Barbauld<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-miss-t/
