But, till my life cease, my love ne'er can decrease;
Though its doubtings and anguish bring death to my peace:
Whene'er, for a moment, I loosen love's chain,
One sweet dimpled smile will rebind it again :
My passion grows still, let me strive as I will,
And its swift-mounting fires my fond bosom fill:
Vain! vain! are all efforts this flame to remove-
While you are so lovely, still! still! I must love!
Yet, ne'er could I pray that the love-lighted ray,
Which beams in your eyes, should in lustre decay;
Though your bosom of snow, has caused me such woe,
I should grieve if I thought it less lovely could grow:
Since I never could bear to behold you less fair,
Let the spell of your beauty dispel my despair;
Since to lessen your charms would but new sorrow prove, Be lovely as ever! but give me your love!
The summer rain falls lighter,
When sunbeams shine the while;
And sorrow's clouds seem brighter,
When lit by love's sweet smile:
Oh! thus, with kind smiles beaming,
My heart's bright sunshine prove;
And e'en when tears are streaming,
They'll glow with rays of love.
The rain, 'mid light descending,
An arch of gems appears;
And love, with kindness blending,
Can lend joy's hue to tears.
Oh! thus, with kind smiles beaming,
My heart's bright sunshine prove;
And, e'en when tears are streaming,
They'll glow with rays of love.
Dear maid, I ever deemed thee fair, But dreamed not I should find, Thy form, so graced by beauty rare, Contained an angel's mind: Enchanted by thy virtues now,
I breathe to thee my fervent vow.
I think not of thy faultless form;
Love, beauty-born, soon dies;
But fondly mark each mental charm,
Soft beaming from thine eyes:
Enchanted by thy virtues now,
I breathe to thee my fervent vow.
I knew not what my strength could bear
Till love had braced each nerve;
I dreamed not what my heart could dare,
Till thee it sought to serve:
A giant's might I seem to sway,
When thy kind words approve;
And forms of danger fade away,
When braved for thee, my love.
The forest fire, that rent the earth,
And showed the hidden mine,
Is like the flame, that drew its birth,
From those bright eyes of thine;
The wealth that in my bosom lay,
Unprized, unknown to me,
Love hath poured forth, in bright array,
To purchase joy for thee.
Let him, who lady's heart would move
To passion's sigh, and tenderest love,
Breathe his true vows, when moonbeams pour,
For love delights in midnight hour,
Or calm of summer even:
And soon as in his circling arms
Her heart beats quick-her bosom warms;
Then let him whisper constancy;
The soft embrace the broken sigh-
Shall be by her forgiven.
Transient the kiss, as is the treasure,
From the rose's breath we sip,
When snatched by youth, in hours of pleasure, From unthinking beauty's lip.
But when to faithful lover given,
By the lip of plighted maid,
Purer than the breath of heaven,
Pledge of bliss, that ne'er can fade.
Lo! here, before the altar kneeling,
I take thee for my gentle bride,
Twined to my heart by every feeling,
That time, or change, can ne'er divide.
I take thee, here, in joy or sorrow,
Through life thy path to guard and guide, And, oh! may every coming morrow
Bring blessings to my gentle bride.
The bridal day! the bridal day!
How bright its morning opes,
To those, whose youthful hearts are gay,
And warm with lover's hopes:
Love's rose-crowned birthday it appears,
And breathes of home and joys;
Thus to the young, in heart, and years,
"Tis viewed with raptured eyes.
The bridal day! the bridal day!
How sad its morning comes,
To those, whose loves have passed away,
Untimely to their tombs;
It opes the fountain of their tears,
And tells of long-lost joys;
Thus to the old, in heart, and years,
'Tis viewed with mourning eyes.
Oh! ever thus, to hearts in woe,
Joy's light reveals their wound;
As torches in the nightime's show,
The darkness poured around;
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