American Female Poets [an electronic edition]

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Title
American Female Poets [an electronic edition]
Editor
May, Caroline, b. ca. 1820
Publication
Philadelphia, Penn.: Lindsay and Blakiston
1853
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Link to this Item
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/BAE7433.0001.001
Cite this Item
"American Female Poets [an electronic edition]." In the digital collection American Verse Project. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/BAE7433.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed April 27, 2025.

Pages

A. D. WOODBRIDGE.

Biographical Sketch.

MISS WOODBRIDGE is a worthy descendant of very worthy ancestors; three of whom were so eminent for their godly and charitable lives, as to be chosen by Mrs. Sigourney, in her Biography of Pious Women, to set forth the brightest examples of religious excellence. They lived at Stockbridge, Massachusetts; and the subject of this brief notice, who was born in Penobscot County, Me., spent the happiest period of her childhood and youth among the hills of Berkshire, "the Switzerland of America." Her first poetical efforts were published in the village paper, and in Mrs. Child's Juvenile Miscellany. Afterwards she contributed to the New York Mirror, and wrote many tales and poems for the annuals, which were then in their palmiest days. In May 1836, she became a teacher in the Albany Female Academy; and in ten years from that time, removed to a similar institution newly established in Brooklyn, where she still pursues with mingled gentleness and energy, her useful and honourable, though often wearisome, vocation. There is much simplicity and religious hopefulness about her effusions, which are mostly inspired by the feelings of friendship and sympathy.

LIFE'S LIGHT AND SHADE.

How strangely in this life of ours, Light falls upon the darkest shade! How soon the thorn is hid by flowers! How Hope, sweet spirit, comes to aid The heart oppressed by care and pain; She whispers "all shall yet be well!" We listen to her magic strain, And yield the spirit to her spell.
How oft, when Love is like a bird Whose weary wing droops o'er the sea,

Page 208

While not an answering tone is heard, She spies a verdant olive tree; And soon within that shelt'ring bower, She pours her very soul in song; While other voices wake that hour, Her gentle numbers to prolong.
Thus, when this heart is sad and lone, As memory wakes her dirge-like hymn, When Hope on heavenward wing hath flown, And earth seems wrapped in shadows dim — O! then a word, a glance, a smile, A simple flower, or Childhood's glee, Will each sad thought, each care beguile, Till joy's bright fountain gushes free.
To-day its waters gladly stirr'd, For Peace was nigh —that gentle Dove, And sweet as song of forest bird, Came the low voice of one I love; And flowers, the smile of Heaven, were mine, They whisper'd, "Wherefore art thou sad? Of love, we are the seal and sign, We come to make thy spirit glad."
Thus, ever, in the steps of grief, Are sown the precious seeds of joy; Each fount of Marah hath a leaf, Whose healing balm we may employ. Then, 'mid life's fitful, fleeting day, Look up! the sky is bright above! Kind voices cheer thee on thy way! Faint spirit! trust the God of Love!

Page 209

TO LILLIE.

WHERE is the lily now? Lily, sweet and fair! Blossoms it 'neath forest bough, Shedding fragrance there? Doth the zephyr's softest kiss Touch its petals sweet? Would that I were woodland bough! Or the zephyr fleet!
Doth the lily flourish now? Doth it lift its head, Joyfully, to meet the morn? Are the night-dews shed Lovingly, on petals bright?—Would I were the dew! Or a beam of matin light, And I'd bless it too.
Lily! emblem meet art thou Of a little child! Such as Jesus loved to bless — Meek, and undefiled. We will trust her to His care, To His faithful breast; — Lillie dearest! Lillie fair! There, with thee, we'll rest.
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