George W. Dewey (1818-1896). Blind Louise. Stedman and Hutchinson, eds. 1891. A Library of American Literature: An Anthology in 11 Volumes

Nonfiction > E.C. Stedman & E.M. Hutchinson, eds. > A Library of American Literature > 1835–1860

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Stedman and Hutchinson, comps. A Library of American Literature:
An Anthology in Eleven Volumes. 1891.
Vols. VI–VIII: Literature of the Republic, Part III., 1835–1860

Blind Louise

By George W. Dewey (1818–1896)

[Born in Baltimore, Md., 1818. Died, 1896. From Griswold’s “Poets and Poetry of America.” 1842.]

SHE knew that she was growing blind—
Foresaw the dreary night
That soon would fall, without a star,
Upon her fading sight;

Yet never did she make complaint,	5
But prayed each day might bring
A beauty to her waning eyes,
The loveliness of Spring!

She dreaded that eclipse which might
Perpetually enclose	10
Sad memories of a leafless world,
A spectral realm of snows.

She’d rather that the verdure left
An evergreen to shine
Within her heart, as summer leaves	15
Its memory on the pine.

She had her wish: for when the sun
O’erhung his eastern towers,
And shed his benediction on
A world of May-time flowers,	20

We found her seated, as of old,
In her accustomed place,
A midnight in her sightless eyes,
And morn upon her face!

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