Lines

WRITTEN BY ELLEN LOUISA TUCKER SHORTLY BEFORE HER MARRIAGE TO MR. EMERSON

Love scatters oil On Life's dark sea, Sweetens its toil-- Our helmsman he.

Around him hover Odorous clouds; Under this cover His arrows he shrouds.

The cloud was around me, I knew not why Such sweetness crowned me. While Time shot by.

No pain was within, But calm delight, Like a world without sin, Or a day without night.

The shafts of the god Were tipped with down, For they drew no blood, And they knit no frown.

I knew of them not Until Cupid laughed loud, And saying "You're caught!" Flew off in the cloud.

O then I awoke, And I lived but to sigh, Till a clear voice spoke,-- And my tears are dry.