3-056-397 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Hide and Seek, 1873. Illustration to a poem by John Latey. 'Where lovers meet is hallowed ground, Nor should unconsecrated eye Within that verge of heaven be found With sacrilegious glance to spy. Ah! fairest flower of womanhood - At least within her lover's eyes; Yet not so beautiful as good, Nor fair as she is loving wise. For see, what pity in her face! What soul of sorrow brooding there! As with a sad, deploring grace She lists to his imploring prayer; And dreads the fatal word to say Which yet her face and eyes have spoken: How can she breathe the fatal nay That sends him from her side heart-broken?...Poor youth, disconsolate, rejected, Bear like a man your sweet rebuff, Nor mope in stricken love dejected, But show you're made of sterner stuff'. From "Illustrated London News", 1873.