Marguerite; or, The Isle of Demons and Other Poems

Chapter 16: MAIDEN LONGINGS.

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About This Book

A varied collection of lyric and narrative verse centered on a long romantic legend about a woman’s ordeal on a haunted island and its personal and moral aftermath, accompanied by shorter sonnets, ballads, and occasional pieces. Many poems draw on Canadian history and local scenes, offering meditative nature writing, urban sketches of Montreal and Ottawa life, winter and carnival scenes, elegies and civic tributes, and moral or humorous vignettes about everyday people. Themes of love, exile, faith, memory, and social concern recur across diverse forms and voices, blending personal reflection with regional colour and historic atmosphere.

MAIDEN LONGINGS.

Sitting, thinking, all alone, Listening to the beetle’s drone, And the night-hawk’s monotone; Sitting, sighing, thus alone, How my heart is longing!

Yet I could not tell you why Tears will gather in my eye When the night-winds tread the sky; No, I could not answer why, Or for what, I’m longing.

Solemn as the rapid’s roar, Sounding on my native shore, Is my heart’s dream evermore; Oh! for some old wizard’s lore To ease this weary longing.

Vague the cause that moves me so;— Is it love? Ah no! no! no!! It can’t be love that shakes me so, When the stars in regal show Around their Queen are thronging.