Volume Ii Part 34 (1/2)

Yet let me keep the book: Oft shall my heart renew, When on its leaves I look, Dear thoughts of you.

Like you, 'tis fair and bright; Like you, too bright and fair To let wild pa.s.sion write One wrong wish there.

Haply, when from those eyes Far, far away I roam, Should calmer thoughts arise Towards you and home; Fancy may trace some line Worthy those eyes to meet, Thoughts that not burn, but s.h.i.+ne.

Pure, calm, and sweet.

And as o'er ocean far Seamen their records keep, Led by some hidden star Through the cold deep; So may the words I write Tell through what storms I stray, You still the unseen light Guiding my way.

Thomas Moore [1779-1852]

”BELIEVE ME, IF ALL THOSE ENDEARING YOUNG CHARMS”

Believe me, if all those endearing young charms, Which I gaze on so fondly to-day, Were to change by to-morrow, and fleet in my arms, Like fairy-gifts fading away, Thou wouldst still be adored, as this moment thou art, Let thy loveliness fade as it will, And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart Would entwine itself verdantly still.

It is not while beauty and youth are thine own, And thy cheeks unprofaned by a tear, That the fervor and faith of a soul may be known, To which time will but make thee more dear!

No, the heart that has truly loved never forgets, But as truly loves on to the close, As the sunflower turns to her G.o.d when he sets The same look which she turned when he rose!

Thomas Moore [1779-1852]

THE NUN

If you become a nun, dear, A friar I will be; In any cell you run, dear, Pray look behind for me.

The roses all turn pale, too; The doves all take the veil, too; The blind will see the show; What! you become a nun, my dear, I'll not believe it, no!

If you become a nun, dear, The bishop Love will be: The Cupids every one, dear, Will chant, ”We trust in thee!”

The incense will go sighing, The candles fall a-dying, The water turn to wine: What! you go take the vows, my dear?

You may--but they'll be mine.

Leigh Hunt [1784-1859]

ONLY OF THEE AND ME

Only of thee and me the night wind sings, Only of us the sailors speak at sea, The earth is filled with wondered whisperings Only of thee and me.

Only of thee and me the breakers chant, Only of us the stir in bush and tree; The rain and suns.h.i.+ne tell the eager plant Only of thee and me.

Only of thee and me, till all shall fade; Only of us the whole world's thoughts can be-- For we are Love, and G.o.d Himself is made Only of thee and me.