Sweet Sixteen

From The Birmingham Age-Herald, May 7, 1913.
 By Samuel Minturn Peck.
 

 Tho’ starlight through the lattice vine
     Fell slanting on her brow
 The roses white, with dew a-shine
     Swayed on the wind-rocked bough
 And waved a perfume quaint and fine
     Like incense round her mouth
 Where dwelt mid curve and hue divine
     The glamor of the South.
         Just sixteen years of joys and fears—
             Just sixteen years hath she
                 But her eyes are blue
                 And her heart is true
             And she’s all the world to me.
 
 The rose tree hid the stars from me
     But I could watch her eyes;
 They shone like stars upon the sea
     Soft mirrored from the skies.
 Her little hands upon her knee
     In folded stillness lay
 And in the dusk gloamed winsomely
     Like lily buds astray.
         Just sixteen years of joys and fears—
             Just sixteen years hath she
                 But her faith is sure
                 And her soul is pure
             And she’s all the world to me.
 
 A silence fell. It seemed a spell
     Had fallen on my Sweet.
 I saw her quivering bosom swell
     I heard my heart a-beat.
 I spoke!—but what? I cannot tell
     I hardly know the rest;
 But as the timid tear-drops fell
     I clasped her to my breast.
         Just sixteen years of smiles and tears—
             Just sixteen years hath she
                 But the wedding chimes
                 Will ring betimes
             For my little bride to be.