From The Birmingham Age-Herald, May 7, 1913.
By Samuel Minturn Peck.
Tho’ starlight through the lattice vine
Fell slanting on her brow
The roses white, with dew a-shine
Swayed on the wind-rocked bough
And waved a perfume quaint and fine
Like incense round her mouth
Where dwelt mid curve and hue divine
The glamor of the South.
Just sixteen years of joys and fears—
Just sixteen years hath she
But her eyes are blue
And her heart is true
And she’s all the world to me.
The rose tree hid the stars from me
But I could watch her eyes;
They shone like stars upon the sea
Soft mirrored from the skies.
Her little hands upon her knee
In folded stillness lay
And in the dusk gloamed winsomely
Like lily buds astray.
Just sixteen years of joys and fears—
Just sixteen years hath she
But her faith is sure
And her soul is pure
And she’s all the world to me.
A silence fell. It seemed a spell
Had fallen on my Sweet.
I saw her quivering bosom swell
I heard my heart a-beat.
I spoke!—but what? I cannot tell
I hardly know the rest;
But as the timid tear-drops fell
I clasped her to my breast.
Just sixteen years of smiles and tears—
Just sixteen years hath she
But the wedding chimes
Will ring betimes
For my little bride to be.