I lov'd Thee

I lov'd Thee

I

I lov'd thee- how oft on thy soft beaming eye,

I've gaz'd with deep rapture and heart swelling high!

There was life in thy smile- there was death in thy frown;

Thy voice it was sweeter than melody's own!

II

I lov'd thee-- how oft Hope sooth'd me to dreams

Of paths strewn with flow'rs- of days gilt with beams;

'Twas bliss when on Future's horizon afar

She shrin'd thee in glory-- my Destiny's star!

III

But 'tis past-- like a vision of ethered ray

Thou camest-- but to dazzle and vanish away--

A seraph forth straying from Heaven's bright bow'r

In sun-shine and glory to bless-- but an hour!

IV

But 'tis past-- what is past?-- Can it be that fond breast

Is now cold as the sod it hath silently prest--

Can it be that those eyes-- so soft and so bright--

Are now quench'd in the grave's eternal-dark night!

V

How fain would I dream 'tis delusive and vain--

How fain would I dream thou wilt come back again--

But Reality lends all a tongue and a tone.

To break the sweet spell by found Fancy thus thrown!

Poem no: 09