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Appendix A: ON LEAVING VILLA DE LANSKOI
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203 Appendix A ON LEAVING VILLA DE LANSKOI Russia Sept.7th ,1859 The sun in all his splendor red Has sunk away to rest With clouds of gold and purple heaped Upon his royal breast. And twilight with her dreamy eye Looks out on earth and sea And consecrates this mystic hour To thoughtful reverie. 2 I gaze upon this lovely scene These garden walks and flowers Where I so fondly whiled away The long long summer hours, And watched each lovely plant expand And praised its grace and bloom And sighed to think its beauty came To fade alas! So soon— 3 Ah: yes how every shady spot Brings back some joy I’ve known A loving look, a tender smile, A low persuasive tone. As by this calm and placid lake My little one would play Or wander where the lilies grew As pure and fair as they— 204 Queen of the Confederacy 4 Ah! I had garnered in this home A wealth of joy and love And God had daily sent us down His blessing from above. For we had health and we had joy And love so fond and mild My heart was centered in the two My husband and my child. 5 For all the dreams of young romance That filled my girlish heart Sweet visions of a lovely home Where I would fondly rest. Of one fine heart and noble mind Responsive to my own Who caring nought for all besides Would love but me alone. 6 All this I found in this sweet spot For’er endeared to me I love each tender blade of grass Each fragrant flower and tree. And sadness will steal o’er my heart And tears will fill the eye For evening shadows slowly fall The parting hour is nigh. [18.117.91.153] Project MUSE (2024-04-17 08:03 GMT) 205 Appendix A 7 But when in my own native land Far distant o’er the sea I sit beside the quiet hearth Or join in mirth and glee. A voice will whisper in my heart What time can ne’er destroy A thousand tender memories of Our happy home Lanskoi. Written for my husband. Lucy Petway Holcombe Pickens ...