Eos: An Epic of the Dawn, and Other Poems

By Nicholas Flood Davin

 

TO KINKOMETTA THE QUADROON.

 
O Kinkometta—fair quadroon,
    Soon, soon, I leave your wilds of snow,
Your prattling ways I’ll lose too soon,
    Then take my blessing ere I go.
Four bloods within your being meet,
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    Four influences blend,
The English give their red rose sweet,
    The Scotch their thistle lend:
In beauty and in strength array’d
    Its motto—how express it?
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Missing a word ’twill suit a maid:
    Nemo me lacessit.
Wit’s sparkle, all that’s linked with grace,
    The sound of song and dance,
From many a trellised viny place—
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    These are the gifts of France.
Thy Indian blood should riches bring
    From prairie and from brake,
The forest glade, the eagle’s wing,
    The lonely glimmering lake:
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The white falls startling solitude,
    Long months of winter’s reign,
The sun-god in his morning mood,
    Or setting thwart the plain. [Page 98]
Thus whatsoe’er’s romantic—wild—
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    Is linked with culture high;
You’re now a fascinating child,
    A woman by-and-bye;
And if you’ll take a bard’s advice,
    You’ll watch o’er all you feel,
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And guard your heart—that pearl of price—
    Lest some boy should it steal;
For tho’ mythology is grey,
    And Grecian gods rise never,
Yet trust me, love is love to-day,
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    And Cupid’s spry as ever.
Four bloods within your being meet,
    Four influences blend,
May every grace your young life greet,
    Peace crown its happy end. [Page 99]
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