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 ador'd 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 unprofan'd by a tear, That the fervour and faith of a soul can be known, To which time will but make thee more dear! Oh! the heart, that has truly lov'd, never forgets, But as truly loves on to the close; As the sun-flower turns on her god, when he sets, The same look which she turn'd when he rose!
