| Hunt and Lee, comps. The Book of the Sonnet. 1867. | | | | VIII. To the Memory of M. A. R. | | By George Henry Boker (1823–1890) |
| | | WITH the mild light some unambitious star | |
| Illumes her pathway through the heavenly blue,— | |
| So unobtrusive that the careless view | |
| Scarce notes her where her haughtier sisters are,— | |
| So ran thy life. Perhaps, from those afar, | 5 |
| Thy gentle radiance little wonder drew, | |
| And all their praise was for the brighter few. | |
| Yet mortal vision is a grievous bar | |
| To perfect judgment. Were the distance riven, | |
| Our eyes might find that star so faintly shone | 10 |
| Because it journeyed through a higher zone, | |
| Had more majestic sway and duties given, | |
| Far loftier station on the heights of Heaven, | |
| Was next to God, and circled round his throne. | | | | |
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