_Lines on Woman_ (Vol. v., p. 490.).--The uxorious lines your correspondent
J. T. is in search of, were written by _Bird_. They are copied from his
"Poetical Memoirs" in Carey's _Beauties of the Modern Poets_, p. 284.,
London, 1826. From thence I extract them, and, by so doing, entitle myself
to the good graces of the lady readers of "N. & Q."
"Oh, woman, woman! thou art formed to bless
The heart of restless man; to chase his care,
And charm existence by thy loveliness;
Bright as the sunbeam, as the morning fair,
If but thy foot fall on a wilderness,
Flowers spring, and shed their roseate blossoms there,
Shrouding the thorns that in thy pathway rise,
And scattering o'er it hues of paradise.
"Thy voice of love is music to the ear,
Soothing, and soft, and gentle as the stream
That strays 'mid summer flowers; thy glittering tear
Is mutely eloquent; thy smile a beam
Of life ineffable, so sweet, so dear,
It wakes the heart from sorrow's darkest dream,
Shedding a hallowed lustre o'er our fate,
And when it beams, we are not desolate.
"No, no! when woman smiles, we feel a charm
Thrown bright around us, binding us to earth;
Her tender accents, breathing forth the balm;
Of pure affection, give to transport birth;
There life's wide sea is billowless and calm.
Oh! lovely woman! thy consummate worth
Is far above thy frailty--far above
All earthly praise--thou art the light of love!"