Ma Triste Chérie Poem by Albert Pike

Your wondrous eyes look sadly into mine,
Look anxiously and eagerly in mine,—
Look like a sorrowing angel's into mine,
Until mine ache and fill with bitter tears.
O, what a tale of sadness and of sorrows,
Those dear eyes tell,—of days that seem like years,
Of nights of sighs, and of unwelcome morrows,
Of doubts and pains and griefs and heavy fears!

Your amber eyes look, darkening, into mine,
Fixed and dilating, deeply into mine,
Look questioning, beseeching, into mine,
Until my heart aches with a heavy pain.
I feel the pangs of your soul's crucifixion,
And in the echoing chambers of my brain,
The words that told me of your great affliction
Continually repeat their sad refrain.

Darling! the crown of thorns is yours to wear;
Life is a cross, that you must bravely bear;
A burthen of long griefs and constant care,—
The penalty that Genius always pays.
Lean on my love! let it your burthen lighten!
When the clouds darken, hope for better days!—
Hath love no radiant influence to brighten,
For heavy hearts, the dark world's painful ways?

Look not so sadly, Darling, in my eyes!
Look not so mournfully into my eyes!
With piteous entreaty, in my eyes:
Yet turn not yours away, for in their light
Is all my life, and all my joy of living;
Is all that makes the day not sombre night!—
O eyes so true, so loving and forgiving,
Laugh once again, and make the dark world bright!

O sad, sweet eyes! O stars that light my soul!
O eyes that saturate with love my soul!
That fill with pain and sympathy my soul!
Ye hold me like a captive bound in chains.
O sweet, fair face, sweetest when melancholy!
Sweet lips that tremble with unuttered pains!
O Soul of Innocence, sublime and holy!
Your sorrows pass, but still the trace remains.

O helpless Love! that cannot help the one!
O fruitless Love! that cannot bless the one,
That cannot comfort or console the one,
Who is the idol of its adoration!
Why should there be no healing in caresses,
No power to comfort in my life's oblation,
When one kind word from you my tired heart blesses,
One look of love gives me such consolation!