Daisy Dare, and Baby Power Poems   By: Rosa Vertner Jeffrey (1828-1894)

DAISY DARE.

[Illustration]

[Illustration: MULLEN, [handwritten: Truly Yrs, Rosa V Jeffrey] PHOTO.]

DAISY DARE,

AND

BABY POWER:

POEMS.

BY

ROSA VERTNER JEFFREY.

=With Light Illustrations,=

Designed by D. Vertner Johnson, Esq.

[Illustration]

PHILADELPHIA: CLAXTON, REMSEN & HAFFELFINGER, 819 AND 821 MARKET STREET. 1871.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1870, by ROSA VERTNER JEFFREY, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.

STEREOTYPED BY J. FAGAN & SON. PRINTED BY MOORE BROS.

[Illustration]

TO

MY DEAR FRIEND

MRS. MARGARET WICKLIFFE PRESTON,

OF LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY,

THIS VOLUME IS

=Affectionately Inscribed=

BY THE AUTHOR.

LEXINGTON, KY., December 1, 1870.

[Illustration]

[Illustration:

"At early morn swept Daisy Dare, Sparkling, graceful, passing fair."]

[Illustration]

DAISY DARE.

PART I.

Thro' scented meadows, where do graze The meek eyed kine on summer days, At early morn swept Daisy Dare, Sparkling, graceful, passing fair.

Sparkling as the dew drops gleaming On her path, or sunlight streaming Through her tresses graceful, fair, As naught on earth save Daisy Dare!

Wondrous tresses! sunshine fades Mid floating curls and sumptuous braids, A crown of light that glorifies White brow and deep impassioned eyes.

Full, perfect, tempting were her lips The bee or humming bird that sips From scarlet blossoms in the South Beguiled might be by such a mouth.

Her path ran by a rushing stream Which, like a crooked silver seam, Bound that green meadow to a wood, Where soon with Graham Lee she stood.

Softly through arching forest trees Came stealing up a fresh salt breeze; One fair cheek kissing, till it burned Like to the other Lee ward turned.

"Daisy," he said, "I sail to day For India, with Captain Gray; Will you not be upon the strand To say 'farewell' to wave your hand?"

"Yes; I will go to see you sail:" The tone was proud her cheek turned pale; "I've promised to be there and say A parting word to Allen Gray."

The strong man's cheek grew white as death As thus, with short, unsteady breath, He said: "When last I went to sea, You waved, nay, kissed your hand to me."

Her eyes flashed, smiling on him then Such eyes hold fiery, earnest men In bondage, and to love beguile, Whether they mock, or weep, or smile.

"Yes; I remember then to you I kissed my hand; but here are two: Can I not still kiss this one, pray, To you, and this to Allen Gray?"

[Illustration:

"Oh, do not mock me, Daisy Dare, With your small hands so soft and fair."]

Her voice was deep, the words were light, The hands upheld were small and white, Such hands as strong men love to grasp And crush in an impassioned clasp.

"Oh, do not mock me, Daisy Dare, With your small hands so soft and fair; They may beguile both lovers true; You cannot give your heart to two.

"One or the other let it be; If Allen Gray, you're lost to me: If me, all hearts you must resign, All homage and all love save mine.