Mrs. S. M. B. Piatt （b,1835,-） was born near Lexington,Ky. While still a young girl she began twrite poetry,which was well received. In 1861 she was married tthe poet John James Piatt. Mrs. Piatt’s poetry is marked by tender pathos,thoughtfulness,and musical flow of rhythm. The following selection is from "That New World."
1.They were twprinces doomed1 tdeath;Each loved his beauty and his breath: "Leave us our life and we will bringFair gifts untour lord,the king."
2.They went together. In the dew.A charmed2 bird before them flew. Through sun and thorn one followed it;Upon the other‘s arm it lit.
3.A rose,whose faintest flush was worth All buds that ever blew3 on earth,One climbed the rocks treach;ah,well,Intthe other’s breast it fell.1 Doomed,destined,condemned. 2 Charmed,bewitched,enchanted. 3Blew,blossomed,bloomed.
4.Weird1 jewels,such as fairies wear,When moons gout,tlight their hair,One tried ttouch on ghostly ground;Gems of quick2 fire the other found.
5.One with the dragon fought tgain The enchanted fruit,and fought in vain;The other breathed the garden‘s airAnd gathered precious apples there.
6.Backward tthe imperial3 gate One took his fortune,one his fate:One showed sweet gifts from sweetest lands,The other,torn and empty hands.
7.At bird,and rose,and gem,and fruit,The king was sad,the king was mute4;At last he slowly said: "My son,True treasure is not lightly won.
8.Your brother’s hands,wherein you see Only these scars,show more tme Than if a kingdom‘s price I foundIn place of each forgotten wound."1 Weird,tainted with witchcraft,supernatural. 2 Quick,alive,living.3Imperial,royal.4Mute,silent.
