LET us make a leap, my dear,
In our love, of many a year,
And date it very far away,
On a bright clear summer day,
When the heart was like a sun
To itself, and falsehood none;
And the rosy lips a part
Of the very loving heart,
And the shining of the eye
But a sign to know it by;
When my faults were all forgiven,
And my life deserved of Heaven.
Dearest, let us reckon so,
And love for all that long ago;
Each absence count a year complete,
And keep a birthday when we meet
I LOVE thee-I love thee !
'Tis all that I can say ;-
It is my vision in the night,
My dreaming in the day;
The very echo of my heart,
The blessing when I pray :
I love thee-I love thee!
Is all that I can say.
I love thee-I love thee!
Is ever on my tongue;
In all my proudest poesy
That chorus still is sung;
It is the verdict of my eyes,
Amidst the gay and young:
I love thee-I love thee!
A thousand maids among.
I love thee-I love thee!
Thy bright and hazel glance,
The mellow lute upon
Whose tender tones entrance;
But most, dear heart of hearts, thy proofs
That still these words enhance,
I love thee-I love thee!
Whatever be thy chance.
Ан, sweet, thou little knowest how
I wake and passionate watches keep ;
And yet, while I address thee now,
Methinks thou smilest in thy sleep. 'Tis sweet enough to make me weep,
That tender thought of love and thee, That while the world is hush'd so deep, Thy soul's perhaps awake to me!
Sleep on, sleep on, sweet bride of sleep!
With golden visions for thy dower,
While I this midnight vigil keep,
And bless thee in thy silent bower;
To me 'tis sweeter than the power
Of sleep, and fairy dreams unfurl'd,
That I alone, at this still hour,
In patient love outwatch the world.
FAR above the hollow
Tempest, and its moan,
Singeth bright Apollo
In his golden zone,—
Cloud doth never shade him,
Nor a storm invade him,
On his joyous throne.
So when I behold me
In an orb as bright,
How thy soul doth fold me
In its throne of light!
Sorrow never paineth,
Nor a care attaineth,
To that blessed height.
Ir was not in the winter
Our loving lot was cast;
It was the time of roses,-
We pluck'd them as we pass'd!
That churlish season never frown'd
On early lovers yet!
Oh, no-the world was newly crown'd With flowers when first we met.
'Twas twilight, and I bade you go, But still you held me fast;
It was the time of roses,
We pluck'd them as we pass'd!
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